COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
Wings and Ale in Lexington has seen the city and county change over the last 20 years. Owner Danny Hunter trains his bartenders to keep an eye on customers.
"We keep up with them when we can," said Hunter. "Now when it's really busy, the bartender has a hard time, if there's 20 people around the bar, observing everybody, but she'll know how many times a guy gets a drink."
If and when someone might get out of control, or drinks too much, Hunter knows the number to police.
Hunter realizes not all owners maybe as careful, but he's not so sure it's fair for Sheriff James Metts to put bar owners in his cross hairs, blaming them for 40 fatalities this year. Still, Metts said he means business.
"I will shut their doors, through the efforts of our officers and the courts, so they better be on guard." Metts said. "We're not going to continue to tolerate these DUI deaths in Lexington County."
Metts wouldn't identify any specific violators, but says he will if they don't shape up. Using stats, they've developed a trouble area along Highway 6 in Red Bank, U.S. 1, and Highway 378 near Lake Murray.
"Law enforcement is tracking the location of last drink for people who are arrested for a DUI," said Caroline Humphries with LRADAC.
LRADAC through the CAST initiative hopes to provide bars in the area with the law, and let them know they are responsible for their customers.
They've had few takers on their free PREP classes, so they're revamping the program and taking it to the establishments. Owners say that would help get employees to come to training, and they're willing to do what they can.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
