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Updated: SCDPS Communications Office Information

Wed, 02/17/2016

Media: Thank you for everything you do to help us communicate vital safety and traffic information to the public. We value our positive working relationship with you. The following provides information regarding the best way for you to reach us and obtain information regarding SCDPS.  Please share this with all of your reporters and assignment editors. Feel free to respond to us with any suggestions or issues you may have encountered with receiving information in the past or suggestions on how we can better communicate with you and your reporters.

SCDPS makes every effort to gather information for your stories, including statistical and FOIA requests, in a timely manner. To help us better serve you, please send us your requests as early in the day as possible – especially regarding requests for documents or statistics. Requests for statistical information are typically filled in the order that we receive them. When requesting information, it also helps us to know your deadline.   

  • SCDPS web site: Please monitor the Media site for press releases and updates that will be helpful to you. This contains news releases, media contact information, and the procedure to file a FOIA. You may also access real-time traffic information, hit and run information etc. on the Highway Patrol’s site;
  • Freedom of Information requests need to be processed through Ada Schmidt, the SCDPS FOIA Officer, in our Communications Office; She may be reached at 803-896-7759 or FOIA@scdps.gov.
  • SCHP Community Relations Officers: Will release information on traffic and collisions primarily through the recorded SCDPS Media Line. That can be accessed at 803-896-8144. Please keep in mind that you can skip over old messages by hitting # (pound) or (Fast forward thru messages by pressing “3” or “33,” press “2” for pause or press “1” or “11” to rewind the message.);
  • Nixle: These are text alerts that can be sent to your phone and/or e-mail. This is the most timely way to receive notifications that we have posted new information to the media box regarding fatal collisions, major traffic incidents/tie-ups etc. You may subscribe by texting ‘hpupstate’ (for information regarding Troops 1-4); or by texting ‘hplowstate’ (for information regarding Troops 5-7) to “888777;” you can subscribe to both boxes if you wish to receive alerts for the entire state;
  • News Releases: Information about campaigns and less time-sensitive information will be sent via e-mail from the Communications Office and on occasion from your local CRO; Those news releases will be posted on the Media site for future reference; We will also post information and photographs to the SCDPS social media accounts, particularly during weather events or other emergency situations;
  • All media inquiries regarding personnel, policy and non-routine traffic matters will be handled by the SCDPS Communications Office – Sherri Iacobelli or Lt. Kelley Hughes.
  • Requests for highway safety statistics should be sent through the Communications Office and will be coordinated through Laura Caskey, OHS Public Affairs Manager.
  • Please send your office’s updated and/or preferred e-mail contact information to Lt. Kelley Hughes: rkhughes@scdps.gov so we can update our files.

 SCDPS PIO/Media Contacts:

Administration

Sherri Iacobelli,
Communications Director

Office: (803) 896-8747
Cell:     (803) 331-7819

SherriIacobelli@SCDPS.GOV
 twitter@SCDPS_PIO


Lt. Kelley Hughes,
Communications Liaison/SCDPS Media Contact

Office: (803) 896-0221
Cell:     (803) 530-1664

RKHughes@scdps.gov
 twitter@SCDPS_PIO

Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs

Laura Caskey, 
Public Affairs Manager

Office: (803) 896-9402
Cell:     (803) 240-6113

LauraCaskey@scdps.gov

SC Highway Patrol Community Relations Office

Sgt. Bob Beres, 
CRO Unit

Office: (803) 896-8164
Cell:     (803) 608-8013

RBeres@scdps.gov 
 twitter @TrooperBob_SCHP


Community Relations Officers

Media Line: (803) 896-8144

Contact Troop 1-7

Bureau of Protective Services

Lance Corporal Brandis McNulty, 
Community Relations Officer

Office: (803) 394-1281

BrandisMcNulty@SCDPS.GOV

FOIA Services

Ada Schmidt, 
FOIA Officer
Freedom of Information Requests

Office: (803) 896-7759

FOIA@SCDPS.GOV

 

Community Relations Officers (Troop 1-7)

bob

Sgt. Bob Beres, CRO Unit Commander
RBeres@scdps.gov
twitter @TrooperBob_SCHP
Office:
 (803) 896-8164
Cell:     (803) 608-8013
P.O. Box 1993, Blythewood, SC 29016


David_Jones

TROOP 1: (Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Richland, Sumter) 
Lance Corporal David G. Jones - TROOP 1
twitter @SCHP_Troop1
Office: (803) 737-6721
Media: (803) 896-8144 ext. 1
Media Line Instructions
1626 Shop Road, Columbia SC 29201


TC_Keller

TROOP 2: (Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Saluda)
Lance Corporal T.C. Keller - TROOP 2 
" " @SCHP_Troop2
Office:
 (864) 889-9324
Media: (803) 896-8144 ext. 2
Media Line Instructions
1801 By-pass 25 SE, Greenwood, SC 29646


Bill_Rhyne

TROOP 3: (Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg)
Corporal W. T. Rhyne - TROOP 3
twitter @SCHP_Troop3
Office:
 (864) 552-5024 
Media: (803) 896-8144 ext. 3
Media Line Instructions
33 Villa Road, Suite 200, Box 103, Greenville, SC 29615


Gary_Miller

TROOP 4: (Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union, York)
Lance Corporal Gary Miller - TROOP 4
twitter @SCHP_Troop4
Office: 
(803) 391-5478 
Media:
 (803) 896-8144 ext. 4
Media Line Instructions
454 S. Anderson Rd., Rock Hill, SC  29730


Sonny_Collins

TROOP 5: (Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, Williamsburg)
Corporal Sonny Collins - TROOP 5
twitter @SCHP_Troop5
Office:
 (803) 206-6746 
Media: (803) 896-8144 ext. 5
Media Line Instructions
3415 East Palmetto Street, Florence, SC, 29506


 

TROOP 6: (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper)
twitter @SCHP_Troop6
Office:
 (843) 953-6008 
Media: (803) 896-8144 ext. 6
Media Line Instructions
8740 N. Park Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418


Judd_Jones

TROOP 7: (Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Hampton, Orangeburg)
Lance Corporal Judd Jones - TROOP 7
twitter @SCHP_Troop7
Office:
 (803) 531-6855 
Media: (803) 896-8144 ext. 7
Media Line Instructions
1718 Charleston Hwy, Orangeburg, SC 29135


The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, Immigration Enforcement Unit and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors. scdps.sc.gov