Horry County Public Safety Committee Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Horry County Public Safety Committee met on April 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to consider 18 resolutions, hear department updates, and discuss public safety issues including the detention center expansion, a proposed take-home vehicle policy change, and strengthening penalties for fleeing from police. All resolutions were approved unanimously. The next meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Child Abuse Prevention Month: Proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, noting 487 substantiated CPS investigations with 766 children in Horry County in FY2024-2025.
• Public Safety Technology Upgrades: Recognized successful implementation of new computer-aided dispatch, records management, and mobile data systems; full incorporation of Police Department's Fifth Precinct.
• All-Hazards Mitigation Plan: Adopted the Horry County Multijurisdictional All-Hazards Mitigation Plan, a five-year living document required for FEMA eligibility. Plan submitted to SCEMD in November 2025; final FEMA review delayed by federal government shutdown.
• National Safe Boating Week: Proclaimed May 16-22, 2026; noted 76% of boating deaths are due to drowning and 87% of drowning victims not wearing a life jacket; South Carolina ranks fourth highest nationwide in boating incidents.
• EMS Week: Proclaimed May 17-23, 2026; theme "Improving Outcomes, Together"; Horry County Fire Rescue EMS responded to over 70,000 incidents in 2025.
• Surplus Service Weapon (Retiring Officer): Declared Glock Model 45 (serial BLVD727) surplus for Lieutenant Brooks James, retiring June 30, 2026 after 20 years, 7 months, 30 days of service.
• Grant Resolutions: Authorized submission and acceptance of multiple grants:
  • Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Byrne State Crisis Intervention Grant (first year, not to exceed $318,439) for drug court peer support and compliance officer.
  • Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office grants: Drug Prosecutor and Administrative Assistant ($193,327 with 10% match); Body Worn Camera Storage reimbursement ($41,115); DUI Prosecutor – Third Year (Georgetown County, $128,059); Violence Against Women Continuation Grant ($164,722.53); Victims of Crime Continuation Grant ($386,411.60).
  • Police Department: VOCA grant ($475,074.06, $95,014.81 in-kind match); Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program grant ($269,717, no match) to fund two civilian Crisis Care Navigators; Law Enforcement Network Mini-Challenge Grant ($10,000) for overtime during statewide mobilizations.
• Police Week: Designated week of May 10, 2026 as Police Week, honoring 17 Horry County law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
• Surplus Police K9: Declared K9 Ori (responsible for 130+ pounds of narcotics seized, $98,000 in seized currency) surplus and given to handler Sergeant Brandon Rabon.
• Surplus Service Weapon (Deceased Officer): Declared Remington shotgun (serial V662623V) surplus for family of Officer Eddie Martin.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was received.

Discussion Items

• Take-Home Vehicle Policy: Chief Leonhardt proposed expanding the take-home vehicle radius from 10 miles to any county bordering Horry County within South Carolina, as a recruitment tool. The committee approved the policy change.
• Failure to Stop for Blue Lights: Councilman Tom Anderson requested a resolution to strengthen state penalties for fleeing from police, citing that first offense without great bodily injury remains a misdemeanor. Chief Leonhardt noted a 19.21% decline in pursuits (from 203 in 2024 to 164 in 2025) and reported that new state law changes take effect May 12, 2026. The item was deferred to the next meeting pending a summary of those changes.
• Public Defender Update: Ron Hazzard reported that the office handled 11,293 general sessions warrants in FY2025 and is on track to exceed that in FY2026 (over 10,000 already). He noted that 18–20% of cases involve non-residents, straining state per-capita funding. He requested adding a social worker to address root causes (mental health, addiction) and reduce recidivism. He also reported an attorney suffered a mental breakdown and left the practice, underscoring the need to manage caseload stress.
• J. Reuben Long Detention Center Update: Director Marcus Rhodes presented updated inmate data. For calendar year 2025, 5,282 individuals booked from municipalities; the county billed for 2,796. On March 24, 2026, inmate population origin: 35% Horry County Police, 33% Myrtle Beach, 11% Sheriff's Office, 7% Conway PD, 4% North Myrtle Beach, 2% SCHP, 1% U.S. Marshals, 1% Loris PD, <1% others. By home address, 73% of bookings in 2025 had Horry County addresses; 27% from outside. A separate sampling (Jan 1 – Apr 6, 2026) showed 74% in-county, 26% out-of-county.
  • Discussion continued on the proposed phase one of the detention center expansion. The 574-bed tower (including 120 mental health beds, medical clinic, infirmary, women's housing, and central control) is estimated at $130 million. Consultants noted the cost per bed (~$226,000) reflects ancillary spaces (clinic, staff support) and is consistent with Georgetown County's current project ($65 million for under 300 beds). Committee members expressed interest in prioritizing mental health housing. Director Rhodes requested committee guidance on phase one scope; staff will bring a recommendation at the second reading of the budget.

Key Outcomes

• All 18 resolutions were approved unanimously.
• The take-home vehicle policy change allowing officers to live in any county bordering Horry County within South Carolina was approved.
• The item on failure to stop for blue lights was deferred to the June 10, 2026 meeting.
• For the detention center, committee direction is to prioritize the mental health component in phase one; staff will develop a detailed recommendation for council's second reading.
• Next public safety committee meeting scheduled for June 10, 2026.