Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Issues 2025 Memorial Day Weekend Safety Tips

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------It is time for the unofficial start of summer as Memorial Day Weekend has arrived.  With vacation and travel plans already having been made by many, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is providing some safety tips as you prepare to hit the road or perhaps stay close to home. 

     If you are planning to travel for the Memorial Day weekend, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is offering these travel safety tips:

·         Be patient and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.  Prepare for the possibility of heavy traffic volumes off and on during the upcoming weekend. 

·         Make sure to carefully check your vehicle before traveling.  Check the air pressure in your tires according to the guidelines provided, make sure all vehicle fluids are at their proper levels and check your belts, hoses, brakes and windshield wipers.  To prepare for the possibility of a flat tire, make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and that you have the proper equipment for putting on your spare tire if you need to.  

·         Plan out your route of travel before you leave your home and notify a family member or close friend of that route and how long you expect it will take you to reach your destination.  Make sure to contact someone back home to let them know when you arrive at your destination as well. 

·         Make sure that your cell phone is fully charged and have a charger in your vehicle as well.  In case you do become stranded, have some extra water or beverages and snacks in your vehicle.

·         Avoid distractions if you are behind the wheel and make sure to always wear your seatbelts.

·         Anytime that you drink alcohol, please do not operate a motor vehicle, a boat or any type of personal watercraft.  Also have a designated driver or plan on using a ride sharing service. 

·         Make sure to lock your vehicles every time you leave them unoccupied and never leave anything valuable (cash, wallets, pocket books, firearms, credit and debit cards, driver’s licenses, etc.) in plain view inside of the vehicle.  If you must store them, securely store those items in the trunk or rear compartment of your vehicle or carry them with you or on your person. 

     The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind our citizens and visitors that County ordinances forbid the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages at County owned parks and recreation facilities.  Also, it is illegal to start a fire in the beach areas at the County owned parks and recreation facilities.   If you plan to visit these areas over the summer, please park only in designated areas and parking spaces.  Parking at the entrances to these facilities blocks these entrances and creates a danger should first responders and public safety officers need to respond due to an emergency. 

     The Sheriff’s Office also reminds our citizens and visitors that littering is illegal throughout the entire county and those who are observed littering by law enforcement will be subject to fines and/or jail time.

     “As a reminder to our citizens who will be staying home this weekend, and for those traveling to and through Oconee County, our Uniform Patrol Division will be conducting normal and routine patrol operations, which includes extra patrol requests we have received,” says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw.   “Our Marine Units will also be providing enforcement and safety operations on our county lakes, weather permitting, and there will be additional enforcement activities at our County parks and recreation areas.  Our E-911/Communications Center will be fully staffed and ready to take calls for service for law enforcement and county fire and rescue services.  For anyone needing our assistance, we are just a phone call away and we stand ready to respond.”

    Sheriff Crenshaw also recommends that everyone download the Digital Siren app on their phones to help keep you safe as you are traveling.  A few years ago, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office became the first law enforcement agency in the world to implement the Digital Siren technology. 

     When your download the app, you will be alerted to a law enforcement pursuit by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office should one occur in your area while you travel through Oconee County.  Also, if you are traveling in other parts of the United States, and agencies in those areas have also implemented the Pursuit Alert technology, you will also be notified of any law enforcement pursuits in your area if you are traveling in those jurisdictions.     

     For emergencies that arise, please call 911.  For non-emergencies, contact the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office at 864-638-4111.