Nearly two dozen members of the 2nd Judicial Law Enforcement Network met last week for additional training, socializing and establishing a network traffic stop in the city of Olar.

2nd Lt. Tim Pearson of the North Augusta DPS, the Network’s coordinating officer, explained that the 2nd judicial Network “was the first to be organized in South Carolina, and now operates in all 46 counties. The Network is very important and beneficial to law enforcement units that have a small staff, such as Olar, that has only one officer, Chief Anthony Bell. He can draw from the Network as needed to enhance his capabilities. Pooling of resources is invaluable to the participating agencies.”

Attending the Olar meeting were officers from Aiken, Bamberg and Barnwell counties, including North Augusta, Ehrhardt, Olar, Jackson, Burnettown, Wagoner, Aiken, Perry, Salley, and SCHP.

Improving communication between agencies was the initial goal of the SCLEN. But member agencies quickly realized that they could also benefit from combining resources of other agencies to tackle problems in their own communities. Through participation in the SCLEN, state and local law enforcement officers have the opportunity to work together, communicate, and coordinate, combining their resources toward the common goal of making South Carolina roadways safer through enforcement and public education. Each LEN focuses on the issues facing the agencies within its network, which allows agencies to tailor solutions to traffic issues for individual communities.

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, South Carolina has one of the highest alcohol related fatality rates in the United States. With impaired driving so prevalent in this state, teaming up to tackle this serious crime helps state and local law enforcement agencies better protect motorists on our roadways. Other traffic-related problems such as speeding, aggressive driving, non use of safety belts, and so forth are addressed as well.

With the use of federal grant funding, the SCDPS Office of Highway Safety (OHS) formalized the SCLEN in 2003. Through participation in the network, law enforcement agencies take part in highway safety campaigns and initiatives coordinated by the OHS.

Each law enforcement network is funded in part through federal grants administered by the state’s highway safety office. The system is organized into 16 individual law enforcement networks (LENs) grouped according to the state’s 16 judicial circuits, with one agency serving as the host or main point of contact.