The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is taking extra measures to ensure the safety of the county’s residents and visitors during the upcoming total eclipse weekend.
“We’ve carefully planned for not just the day of the eclipse, but the entire weekend leading up to it,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “We’ll be in constant contact with other public safety agencies, venues and community groups in an effort to keep everyone safe during what for many will be a three-day weekend.”
Extra deputies are scheduled for duty starting Friday evening until Tuesday evening for what Koon called an “all hands on deck” event.
“We’ll be out conducting extra patrols at hotels, restaurants and other commercial establishments,” Koon said. “We want to be there to help anyone who needs it, particularly those from out of town who might not be familiar with our roads and all our community has to offer.”
The department plans to deploy its Marine Patrol, Bike Patrol and Traffic Unit the day of the eclipse. With no classes scheduled at area schools, the agency’s school resource officers will also be available to increase officer presence at public events and respond to calls for service.
Koon said deputies will closely monitor vehicles parked near locations where crowds are expected to gather.
“If you have to park roadside, please remember to lock your vehicle and make sure it’s completely out of any lanes of travel,” Koon said. “If your car impedes traffic or if it’s parked on private property, it’s subject to towing.”
Residents should allow extra time for travel as tourists stream into the region during the weekend. For information about traffic collisions, construction projects and other events that might affect travel, call the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s Travel Info line at 511.