MADD SPEAKS ON BARNEY GEISE'S DUI CHARGES

MADD is deeply troubled by this situation and because of our concerns MADD has spoken to the Charleston prosecutor.  The prosecutor's office has been unable to satisfy us with their explanation of why the charges were dropped.

We have had numerous phone calls and emails at both the South Carolina office and at our national headquarters in Dallas, not only from concerned citizens but from victims and offenders. We are looking for answers not only for MADD but for the citizens of South Carolina. We feel that the prosecutors in Charleston aren't willing to do their job.

Mr. Geise and the prosecutors need to take into consideration the message that they are sending not only to the public but to DUI offenders and this is a message that MADD does not agree with.

Mr. Geise refused to take the breathalyzer test and by South Carolina law his license should be automatically suspended for 6 months.

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2009 DUI Enforcement Recognition Ceremony

Presented by South Carolina Department of Public Safety office of Highway Safety

March 19, 2009

Award categories    

SC State Transport Police District of the Year:  A State Transport Police District that has excelled in the area of DUI arrests,DUI victim services, anti-underage drinking programs, and which has demonstrated excellence in implementing innovative techniques in the detection and deterrence of impaired driving, to include possession and/or measurable amounts of alcohol.

District 3 (Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties)       

South Carolina Highway Patrol Troop: A Highway Patrol Troop that has excelled in the area of DUI arrests, DUI victim services, anti-underage drinking program,s and which has demonstrated excellence in implementing innovative techniques in the detection and deterrence of impaired driving.

Troop 5

2008 Law Enforcement Network of the Year:  A Law Enforcement Network that has demonstrated excellence in implementing innovative techniques in the detection and deterrence of impaired driving, and has had high numbers in attendance at network meetings, percentage reporting, sobriety checkpoints implemented, and participation in statewide campaigns, such as Buckle Up, South Carolina, Sober or Slammer!, Hands Across the Border, etc.

Tie!!  11th Circuit (Edgefield, Lexington, McCormick, Saluda counties) and 15th Circuit (Georgetown and Horry counties)

Agency of the Year (five categories based on size of agency):  A Law Enforcement agency in the respective category that has excelled in the area of DUI arrests, DUY victim services, anti-underage drinking programs, and which has demonstrated excellence in implementing innovative techniques in the detection and deterrence of impaired driving.

• Pelion Police Department (10 officers or less)
• City of Darlington Police Department (11-25 officers)
• City of Hanahan Police Department  (26-50 officers)
• (Tie) Aiken Department of Public Safety and City of Anderson Police Department
  (51-100 officers)
• Charleston Police Department (101 or more officers
  
  DUI Hero:  Any nominated Law Enforcement Officer who has excelled in the area of DUI arrests by making 10 or more DUI arrests in 2008.

The bronze category for 10 to 24 DUI arrests:

• Patrol Officer David Dudley, Conway Police Department
• Patrolman Brandon Edge, Mauldin Police Department
• Corporal Randall Human, City of Anderson Police Department
• Officer R. Travis Graham, Fountain Inn Police Department
• Officer Patrick Lavery, Travelers Rest Police Department
• Patrolman First Class Nicolas Lebby, Mount Pleasant Police Department
• Sergeant Jeremy Sooter, Lexington Police Department 
• PSO Scott M. Were, Folly Beach Public Safety Department
• Patrolman First Class Matthew Woodall, North Charleston Police Department
  

The silver category for 25 to 49 DUI arrests:

• Trooper First Class Brian Bryson, SCHP Troop 3
• Officer Charles E. Carnes, Hanahan Police Department
• Sr. Master Patrol Officer Chad Causey, Conway Police Department
• Sergeant Anthony Scott Darby, Chester County Sheriff's Office
• Chief Franco F. Fuda, Bonneau Police Department
• Corporal Dale Johnson, Lancaster Police Department 
• Patrolman First Class Jimmy D. Mathis, Hanahan Police Department
•  Lance Corporal Robert H. Rowe, SC Highway Patrol Troop 7
• Senior Trooper Jordan Sinclair, SC Highway Patrol Troop 2
• Corporal Michael Weatherford, Darlington Police Department
  

 The gold category for 50 or more DUI arrests:

•  Patrolman First Class Shari Driggers, Summerville Police Department 
• Trooper First Class Sean Groubert, SC Highway Patrol, Troop 1
• Trooper First Class Wesley A. Hardymon, SC Highway Patrol, Troop 5 
• Corporal Ryan Herron, Mauldin Police Department 
• Corporal Travis Hovest, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
• Deputy III Jason J. Kramer, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office
• Patrolman III Billy Lewis, Beaufort Police Department
• Lance Corporal Jeromy McCloud, SC Highway Patrol, Troop 4
• Lance Corporal Carl Woods, SCHP Troop 6
•  FTO Jim Williams, Greer Police Department
• Sr. Police Officer Matthew T. Wojslawowicz, Charleston Police Department
   
  Rookie of the Year: An officer or deputy with less than one year of service e who has excelled in many areas, such as DUI arrests, DUI victim services, anti-underage drinking programs, work ethic, etc.

Patrolman Brandon Edge, Mauldin Police Department

South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year:  A State Trooper who has excelled in the area of DUI arrests, DUI victim services, anti-underage drinking programs, work ethic, etc.

Trooper First Class Wesley Hardymon, Troop 5 (Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties)

Officer of the Year (five categories based on size of agency):  A Law Enforcement Officer in his/her respective category who has excelled in the area of DUI arrests, DUI victim services, anti-underage drinking programs, work ethic, etc.

• Chief Franco F. Fuda, Bonneau Police Department (10 officers or less)
• Corporal Michael Weatherford, Darlington Police Department (11-25 officers) 
• Patrolman III Billy Lewis, Beaufort Police Department (26-50 officers) 
• Patrolman First Class Shari Driggers, Summerville Police Department (51-100 officers) 
• (Tie) Deputy III Jason Kramer, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office and 
• Sr. Police Officer Matthew Wojslawowicz, Charleston Police Department (101 or more officers) 
   
  
  

Tougher DUI Law in SC Takes Effect

Beginning February 10, 2009 at 12 noon, a new law went into effect harshening punishment for drunk drivers. 

The new law has tougher sentences based on the amount of alcohol in the drivers' system.  

There are also increased penalties for repeat drunk drivers and refusing to submit to a BAC test.