Greenville Co. law enforcement thanked for service
(WSPA) — Hundreds of Greenville County law enforcement officers were thanked for their service Friday.
It was part of LEAD Upstate's law enforcement appreciation event at the Greenville Downtown Airport.
"I think over 700 people drove through here to receive a grab bag, breakfast and handshakes from a bunch of law enforcement supporters here," Attorney General Alan Wilson said.
The event has been held for the last 10 years to show appreciation to local law enforcement.
"I've seen Laurens roll through here, Greer, Fountain Inn, Simpsonville, you name it they've been out here," James Stephens, the director of the Greenville Downtown Airport, said.
Police officers, sheriff's deputies and highway patrol troopers lined up in their cars to drive through the "Line of Gratitude," where they received breakfast and gifts donated by local companies.
Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis and police chiefs from cities within Greenville County greeted the law enforcement workers.
"We have a lot of folks who may be taking their kids to school or may be off today and have their spouse with them," Lewis said. "You get to tell them in front of their family what a great job they do and how much you appreciate them. We hope it makes them feel pretty good."
Following the event, Wilson held a roundtable with Greenville County law enforcement leaders to discuss the issues their communities are facing.
"The Upstate of South Carolina has become the front door to drug trafficking and all kinds of other activities that are coming up from the southern border in coordination with Mexican drug cartels," Wilson said. "There's a lot of drug trafficking. I'm concerned about potential gang activity as well as cartel activity coming into South Carolina. We're also addressing human trafficking."
Wilson said he hopes the meeting will help the state provide more support to Upstate law enforcement.
"We have the ability to bring in the state grand jury and federal folks to have a comprehensive approach to combating drug trafficking and human trafficking," Wilson said. "To hear what they're dealing with on the ground better informs us how we can best support them moving forward."
