Horry County Public Safety Committee Meeting - October 8, 2024

The Public Safety Committee met on October 8, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the County Council Conference Room. The meeting covered resolutions, discussion items on beach shade devices, fire prevention week, environmental services, and budget presentations from the Coroner, Detention Center, and Solicitor. The committee also received updates on Hurricane Helene response and an upcoming storm. An executive session was held; no decisions were made.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution – Surplus Service Weapon: Approved declaring a Glock 45 (serial number BZXC732) surplus and making it available to retiring Police Officer Kevin Daniels. Motion carried unanimously.
• Opioid Recovery Fund Grant Application: Approved a resolution to submit a CY2025 grant application to the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund Board for $1,193,513.80 to continue three programs: harm reduction (HCFR), jail diversion/reentry (J. Reuben Long Detention Center), and treatment court expansion (15th Judicial Circuit). The grant requires no match; accrued interest of $22,733.73 is included. The committee also authorized acceptance if awarded. Motion carried unanimously.
• Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The agenda and minutes from September 10, 2024 were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was received.

Discussion Items

• Beach Shade Devices (David Jordan, Randy Webster): Staff presented information on Shibumi and Sabella wind-driven shade devices, which are currently prohibited under the county ordinance (only umbrellas ≤7.5 ft diameter allowed). Shibumi representatives requested an off-season allowance. Lieutenant Mueller of the Horry County Police Beach Patrol described challenges: devices take up large areas (Shibumi fits 6 people, has a tether sandbag trip hazard), rotate with wind changes, and become curtains when windless. He noted that neighboring municipalities have varied rules (e.g., Myrtle Beach allows off-peak, Surfside allows year-round with restrictions). Committee members expressed concerns about enforcement and space. Chairman Hardee suggested staff (Mr. Jordan, Lieutenant Mueller, and Mary Mauch) analyze options and bring a recommendation to the next meeting (likely January 2025).
• Fire Prevention Week (Chief Joey Tanner, Assistant Chief Mark Nugent): Proclaimed October 6–12, 2024 as Fire Prevention Week with theme “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” HCFR deploys over 1,000 smoke alarms annually. The department has won the SC Fire Chiefs Association Outstanding Public Education Award for 2023 and 2024 and has been named a Fire Safe Community for three consecutive years. The committee recognized the department’s efforts.
• Environmental Services (Heather Wilson): Reported on the Animal Care Center (increase in owner-request euthanasia from 103 in FY23 to 240 in FY24, high demand for spay/neuter services with only one veterinarian), the Community Engagement Unit (litter and homeless response, event support), School Resource Officers (seven in high schools, seeking three more for middle schools), and calls for service increases. A need for an additional veterinarian and more space was noted.
• Coroner Budget Discussion (Robert Edge, Ms. Willard): Requested one additional administrative position. Cases have risen from 1,231 in 2005 to an estimated 4,071 in FY2024, while staffing (two administrators) has not changed since 2005. The position would handle phone calls, walk-ins, and release of remains.
• Detention Center Budget Discussion (Marcus Rhodes): Requested 12 additional correctional officers: four medical officers, four detox officers (to address 182 inmates detoxing in September, 2,043 medical contacts, 107 psychiatric visits, 49 suicide watches), one court officer (video court demands), and two night-shift officers. Also requested additional nursing staff for 24/7 detox monitoring. These positions would also help meet SCDC staffing recommendations.
• Solicitor Budget Discussion (Kathy, Josh Holford): Requested two administrative assistants (one for jail case intake to fast-track cases, one for ending records/evidence.com integration) and two additional attorneys for the drug prosecution team (currently each of six attorneys handles ~670 warrants; target is ~475 per attorney). The team prosecutes about 10,000 warrants per year (~5,000 unique defendants). Committee members expressed support and asked about recidivism and bond reform.

Department Reports

• Written reports for Police, Fire/Rescue, Animal Care Center, Emergency Management, 911, Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center, and EMS write-offs were included in the meeting packets and reviewed by the committee.

Emergency Management Update (Sam Hodge)

• Briefed on Hurricane Milton (potential impacts to Florida; minor effects expected for Horry County: 1–2 ft storm surge, 1–2 inches rain). Reported on Hurricane Helene response: three EMD staff deployed to Saluda, Oconee, Edgefield, and Allendale counties for EOC support. HCFR sent five members to SC Task Force 1, one engine company to Greenville County, and five firefighters to North Carolina. Teams are being demobilized and may deploy to Florida.

Executive Session

• The committee entered executive session to receive legal advice regarding a pending, threatened, or potential claim and other attorney-client privileged matters. No decisions were made.

Next Meeting

• The next Public Safety Committee meeting will be on November 6, 2024 (Wednesday, day after election day).

Key Outcomes

• Resolutions approved: Surplus weapon for Kevin Daniels; Opioid Recovery Fund grant application (up to $1,193,513.80).
• Discussion Items: No votes were taken on budget requests or beach device changes; staff will bring recommendations on beach devices to a future meeting.
• Budget Requests: The Coroner, Detention Center, and Solicitor presented needs for additional positions and resources; these will be considered in future budget discussions.