Horry County Public Safety Committee Meeting - April 8, 2025

The Horry County Public Safety Committee met on April 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the County Council Conference Room. The meeting covered public input regarding gunfire safety concerns, reviewed an ordinance for a cellular DAS lease at Myrtle Beach International Airport, approved several resolutions, and heard updates on firefighter cancer prevention measures and new staff introductions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Catherine Story and Kelly Grandhouse, residents of Lakes at Plantation Pines, reported seven gunfire incidents over five years, including bullets entering homes (one on March 1, 2025, going through a dining room wall, and another on March 31, 2025, entering a fence, gutter, and house wall). They stated that police reports resulted in no follow-up and expressed concern that someone could be killed. They requested proactive measures such as drones, night vision, or trail cameras. Committee members acknowledged state law limitations but directed the residents to meet with Lieutenant Hunt and offered assistance from Deputy Chief Windburn.

Discussion Items

• Firefighter Cancer Prevention Measures: Fire Chief Tanner and Deputy Chief presented an update. They noted that firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to CDC research. The presentation covered the presence of PFAS in turnout gear, decontamination procedures (on-scene hood replacement, wipes, and use of commercial gear extractors and dryers), in-station vehicle exhaust capture, and annual physicals including prostate, lung, bladder, thyroid, and oral cancer screenings. A council member suggested adding MRI scans for prostate cancer screening beyond blood tests.
• Introduction of New Deputy Chief: Chief Leonhardt introduced Deputy Chief Nick Kapman, who will oversee a restructured division.
• Introduction of Behavioral Services Director: Randy Webster introduced Michelle Smith as the new Director of Behavioral Services for the Public Safety Division, noting her role will coordinate opioid recovery and crisis intervention efforts across jurisdictional lines.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance Approved: The committee approved (motion seconded, all in favor) authorizing the County Administrator to execute a lease agreement with Concourse Communications Group, LLC for a neutral-host cellular Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Myrtle Beach International Airport. The lease includes a 10-year initial term with a 5-year renewal option, a Minimum Annual Guarantee of $35,000 for the first carrier and $45,000 for each additional carrier, or 50% of gross revenues (whichever is greater). The lessee is responsible for all maintenance.
• Resolutions Approved (all motions seconded, all in favor):
  • Acceptance of roads and drainage for Forestbrook Estates Phase 7 (Harrison Mill Street, 0.14 miles) and Sunset Landing Phase 2 (Kapalua Loop and Wailea Circle, 0.33 miles) into the County road system, with a three-year warranty.
  • Expressing support for the Conway Chamber of Commerce Riverfest celebration, allowing a Business Expo and Artisan Market on County property without alcohol sales, subject to a standard use agreement.
  • Declaring April 13–19, 2025, as National Telecommunicator Week.
  • Designating May 18–24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week, with the theme “We Care. For Everyone.”
  • Authorizing the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit to accept a Victims of Crime Grant (continuation) not to exceed $339,640 for four victim advocates.
  • Authorizing the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitors’ Office to accept a Violence Against Women Grant (continuation) not to exceed $132,157.35 for one interpersonal violence investigator, with a local cash match of $44,052.45 from state funds.
  • Approving Horry County’s continuation application to the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund Board for $158,859.41 to support a Treatment Court Counselor and a Public Safety Peer Coordinator.
  • Approving a new application to the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund Board for $432,112.22 to fund a Behavioral Services Director and two additional Crisis Intervention Team counselors, in partnership with the Cities of Conway and North Myrtle Beach.
• Executive Session: The committee entered executive session to receive legal advice regarding pending threats, potential claims, or investigative proceedings related to allegations of criminal misconduct (noted from transcript).