We would also like to express public gratitude to several local retailers for their efforts in reducing underage drinking and tobacco use in Travelers Rest. As a member agency of the Greenville County Alcohol Enforcement Team, the TRPD sent an undercover operative into several retail establishments on December 17, 2015 to attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. To sell to this person would have been a violation of law as this person is underage. We are happy to report that twelve businesses out of thirteen checked the operative’s ID and refused to complete the sale. These businesses are Molinas, Walmart, CVS, Sidewall Pizza, Swamp Rabbit Brewery, Copperhead Mountain Distillery, Shortfields, Blue Ridge Bar and Grill, Willis ABC, Spinx, Bi-Lo, and Pizza House.
On the same night, another operative attempted to purchase tobacco products and was denied the sale at eight businesses out of nine. Those businesses are Rite Aid, Walmart, Murphy USA, Walgreens, Dollar General, Rest Stop, W.E. Willis, and Spinx. Please congratulate these businesses in their diligence in ensuring that our youth do not have easy access to alcohol and/or tobacco in Travelers Rest.
Finally, we’d like to introduce you to our newest officer. Officer Lance Mello joined us in September and graduated from the SC Criminal Justice Academy’s basic training last Friday. Officer Mello is currently completing the eight-week TRPD field training program where he will receive “real world” training under the guidance of several different TRPD officers. Please join us in welcoming Officer Mello to the Travelers Rest community.