Press Releases

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit conducted enforcement operations throughout Florence County during the month of December 2017. The Traffic Safety Unit is made up of six Deputies, four of which are funded by traffic safety grants that the Sheriff’s Office received in October of 2016 and October of 2017. The primary function of the Traffic Safety Unit is to reduce the number of traffic collisions and fatalities experienced in Florence County. Members of the FCSO Traffic Safety Unit focus their enforcement efforts on roadways that have a high number of collisions and traffic deaths. Team members also concentrate on the traffic violations that lead to traffic deaths such as Speeding, DUI, and Seatbelt violations. All members of the Traffic Safety Unit are certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Breath Test Operators, Speed Measurement Device Operators, and two members are certified Drug Recognition Experts. Members of the Traffic Safety Unit that are paid for by the Traffic Safety Grants have received specialized vehicles and equipment, and their salaries are paid for by grant funds for the next three years. The Traffic Safety Unit also participates with the 12th Circuit LEN and will be planning checkpoints throughout Florence County during the month of January 2018.

December 2017 Statistics:

Traffic Violations
DUI: 22
Seatbelt: 47
Child Restraint Violations: 10
Speeding: 163
Driving Under Suspension: 35
Driving Without a License: 10
Uninsured Motorist: 11
Collisions Investigated: 13
Other Traffic Violations: 435
Total number of Traffic Citations: 746

Criminal Violations
Drug Arrests: 23
Fugitive Arrests: 20
Stolen Vehicles Recovered: 01
Weapons law violations: 06
Total Criminal Violations: 44
Safety Presentations: 01
Traffic Safety Checkpoints: 08
Traffic Safety Unit Total Contacts: 796

Significant Events for December 2017

• TSU Deputies contacted a pedestrian on T.V. near the Black Jack Harley Davidson dealership. During the course of the interaction the suspect was found to be intoxicated and was also in NCIC as a wanted person. The suspect was placed under arrest for Public Drunk and a General Session Bench Warrant for DUI Second was served on the suspect at the FCDC.

• FCSO Received a BOLO for a DUI Driver on David McLeod Blvd. TSU Deputies were in the area and observed the suspect vehicle failing to maintain lane and an equipment violation was also noted. The suspect vehicle was contacted and the driver had a very heavy odor alcohol about his breath and person. The suspect driver was found to have an alcohol concentration that was more than double the legal limit and was also in possession of an open container of liquor under the driver’s seat.

• During a Traffic Safety Check Point on Dozier Blvd. TSU Deputies observed a suspect vehicle recklessly turn around upon seeing the check-point. TSU Deputies contacted the suspect driver and found that he was in possession of Marijuana and Powder Cocaine. The suspect was placed under arrest for the Marijuana and Cocaine violations.

• During a Traffic Safety Check Point on Dozier Blvd. TSU Deputies contacted a suspect vehicle that was approaching the checkpoint area very slowly. Deputies observed Marijuana shake on the front seat passenger’s shirt and ordered him out of the vehicle. When the front seat passenger stepped out of the vehicle a Glock Pistol with a 30rd. magazine was observed on the floorboard of the suspect vehicle. Both the driver and the passenger were detained, and search of the suspect vehicle yielded three large vacuum sealed bags of Marijuana and a mason jar also containing marijuana. The passenger was charged with Unlawful Pistol and PWID Marijuana and the driver was charged with Simple Possession of Marijuana.

• TSU Deputies observed a suspicious vehicle pull in to the Public Storage on North Cashua Drive and turn its headlights off by one of the entrance gates. Contact was made with the suspect vehicle and the driver was found to be under suspension and the passenger had an outstanding warrant from the SCHP for Possession of a Stolen Pistol. The suspect passenger was arrested and transported to the FCDC.

• TSU Deputies observed a suspect vehicle traveling 58 MPH in a 40 MPH Zone on South Irby Street near Second Loop Road. Contact was made with the suspect driver who had a very heavy odor of alcohol about her breath and person. The suspect failed all field sobriety testing and was arrested for DUI and she was also found to have an open container of beer in the vehicle’s center console.

• TSU Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a suspect vehicle for a moving violation on Vista Street. Contact was made with the driver who had an odor of alcohol about his breath and person. The suspect failed all field sobriety testing and was placed under arrest for Simple Possession of Marijuana, DUS and DUI.

• TSU Deputies responded to a motor vehicle collision on Southborough Road. A single vehicle ran off the road and flipped over with the driver having minor injuries. It was determined that the suspect driver was under the influence of alcohol and was charged with DUI and Open Container violation.

• TSU Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Lynch Road for a moving violation. When the suspect vehicle stopped the front seat passenger ran from the vehicle and was apprehended after a very short foot chase. The female driver was found to be under suspension and during the course of Deputies then searched the vehicle and located crack cocaine with a field weight of 25 Grams. The suspect that fled was found to have active warrants with the Lake City Police, Georgetown County S.O., Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

• TSU Deputies conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation on Ebenezer Road near Hoffmeyer Road. During the course of the stop the suspect took and was unable to complete the SFST battery. The suspect was charged with DUI, Seatbelt and Simple Possession of Marijuana.

END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.