Security Enhancements at Lake Murray

I recently joined Lexington County Councilman Johnny Jeffcoat and SCE&G officials in demonstrating emergency call boxes that have been installed in order to enhance the personal safety of persons who use the Johnny W. Jeffcoat Walkway along S.C. 6 at the Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray near Lexington.

One emergency call box is located in a parking lot along the lake on the Lexington side of the dam that is reserved for persons who use the popular walkway. The call box is clearly marked as an emergency call box, and a blue light on top of the box activates whenever a call is placed through the call box.

Calls from the call box are answered by Sheriff’s Department employees at the front desk at the Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington. Front desk personnel can determine the exact location of the call box and make arrangements to properly assist the caller who activated the call box.

SCE&G purchased the parking lot call box and a second emergency call box that has been installed at the end of the walkway along the lake on the Irmo side of the dam. The Lexington County Public Works Department helped install the call boxes. Our agency pays the fees to operate the call boxes on Motorola’s public safety radio system.

Our agency does not rely on taxpayers in Lexington County to accomplish all of the law enforcement needs in Lexington County. We reach out, as we did in this case to SCE&G, to businesses and citizens in order to provide financial support for law enforcement services. We work in partnership with businesses and citizens on a regular basis in order to enhance the quality of life for all people in Lexington County.

SCE&G spokesman Robert Yanity said the company agreed to buy the emergency call boxes because of its long-standing commitment to enhance public safety for citizens who enjoy spending time on or near Lake Murray. In addition to the emergency call boxes, SCE&G installed surveillance cameras in order to monitor activity on and near the dam, including the parking lot where walkway patrons park their motor vehicles.

Sheriff’s Department Lake Murray Marine Patrol and Bike Patrol deputies patrol the walkway. Deputies will conduct enforcement efforts concerning motorists who improperly park motor vehicles in the path that bicyclists use to travel across the dam.

The walkway is probably the most popular location that we have in Lexington County for people to exercise by walking or running. We are working to ensure that we can provide proper assistance to all persons who use the walkway.