Horry County Public Safety Committee Meeting - June 10, 2026
Horry County Public Safety Committee Meeting – June 10, 2026
The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key topics included public input on animal protection ordinances, a detention center expansion update, police department reforms, and multiple funding resolutions for public safety equipment and staffing. All resolutions were approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Caroline Slyn (Little River resident) proposed several amendments to Horry County animal ordinances: (1) make it illegal to leave an animal in a car when outside temperature is at or above 70°F (she suggested 50°F as a threshold); (2) clarify contradictory temperature rules for tethering and penning, proposing that animals may not be left out in forecasted extreme weather above 75°F without proper shade, clean water, and sanitary conditions; (3) reduce the maximum speed for an animal unsecured in a truck bed from 60 mph to 45 mph with the tailgate closed; (4) require a yearly municipal breeding license for anyone intentionally producing a litter within Horry County, with inspections to ensure rabies vaccinations and humane conditions—license fees could offset shelter costs. She noted the county shelter is at 300% overcapacity, with annual costs per dog averaging $4,500, and 80% of shelter dogs are pit bulls or hounds. She urged funding for a second vet at the Horry County Animal Care Center and support for a free mobile spay/neuter clinic.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the amendment to the agenda for April 14th (date unclear) was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Discussion Items
Detention Center Expansion Update
- Director Markle (Detention Center) reported the current population at 848 inmates, noting that although courts have reduced numbers temporarily, growth is expected. He presented a plan for a 574-bed tower costing $130 million, with flexible mental health/detox space that can be repurposed for general population if needed. The resolution authorized completion of schematic design and cost estimates. Council member Mr. Allen requested a cost-per-inmate-per-day breakdown and an analysis of municipal payments, with a report expected by the August meeting.
Horry County Police Department Update
- Chief Lynn outlined initiatives: pursuing national accreditation (CALEA), additional critical incident communications training, a full agency review by IACP, establishment of a Chief’s Advisory Board, supervisor training, revised internal affairs policies, quarterly disciplinary reports, annual physical fitness tests, and updated grooming and uniform standards. He reported that the gang fugitive task force made 127 arrests and identified over 60 gang members since January. The department received the “Agency of the Year” award from the South Carolina Animal Advocates Association. Council members commended the progress, and Mr. Allen requested a report by August on training capabilities that have been or could be brought in-house.
Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption Grant
- A representative (Ms. Hardwick? or staff) presented a USDOT Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to install signal preemption for emergency vehicles on Highway 17 and 501. The grant covers 30 signals in Horry County, 17 in North Myrtle Beach, and 12 in Conway. The county’s match is $100,600, to be covered by unspent funds from fire, rescue, EMS, and police.
Fire/EMS Equipment and Staffing Grants
- Fire/EMS Director (Mr. Norgan?) requested approval for an AFG grant (Assistance to Firefighters) for 15 power load stretchers and 15 stair chairs, total $2 million with a 10% county match ($200,000). Also, a SAFER grant for nine new personnel to staff Station 26 (Gore Town), transitioning from 100% volunteer to a career-volunteer combination.
Amateur Radio Days Resolution
- Sam Hodges (Amateur Radio) presented a resolution recognizing June 27–28, 2026, as Amateur Radio Days in Horry County, honoring the volunteer communication support provided during emergencies. The resolution was approved.
Surplus Weapon for Retiree
- Chief Lynn requested a resolution declaring a service weapon surplus for a retiring officer, allowing the officer to purchase it. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Approved resolution authorizing schematic design and cost estimates for the Phase One 574-bed detention center tower (motion carried unanimously).
- Approved resolution authorizing funds for Horry County Police Department accreditation and enhanced training (motion carried).
- Approved resolution authorizing transfer of $727,300 from fire fund savings for additional portable radios (motion carried).
- Approved grant match of $100,600 for the Safe Streets and Roads for All emergency vehicle signal preemption project (motion carried).
- Approved submission and acceptance of the AFG grant for power load stretchers and stair chairs with $200,000 county match (motion carried).
- Approved submission and acceptance of the SAFER grant for nine new fire/EMS personnel (motion carried).
- Approved resolution recognizing June 27–28, 2026, as Amateur Radio Days (motion carried).
- Approved resolution declaring a weapon surplus for a retiree (motion carried).
- Next meeting scheduled for August 11, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
We will start with indication and pledge of allegiance by domain. Ladies and gentlemen, if you all stand, please. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to gather today to look out for our public safety applications here in Ori County. Dear father, we ask for wisdom and grace, patience. Your father, we ask you to look out for those folks who are out in the field taking care of us. Keep them safe and help them to make good decisions. And uh in these times where they're facing somebody that's just having a horrible time. To father, all these things we ask in your name. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen, attention to the United States flag. I pledge the flag of the United States of America. And to the repository for which one nation under God. We have public input. Caroline Channel of Animal Orders. Morning, everybody. My name is Caroline Slyn. I'm from Little River. Um, my intention and hope today is to update uh and get some new animal protection ordinances and propose some solutions. Three important but minor changes in Ori County ordinance. I'd like to see uh, or we would like to see section 4.13 state that it's illegal to have an animal in a car with temperatures at 70 degrees or above. Outside temperatures, even at 70, can easily reach over 100 within 20 minutes. We're proposing 50 degrees or above. Um section 4.13 and section 4.13 D2D. They have contradictory temperatures right now where penning and tethering is involved. We are proposing for both tethering and penning of a dog that they may not be left out tied or penned in forecasted extreme weather, which includes temperatures above uh 75 degrees or above without the proper shades, clean water, and free of unsanitary conditions. Also, um the maximum speed or an animal can be unsecured in the back of a vehicle or truck bed is currently at 60 miles per hour. We are going to propose 45 miles per hour, and the trucks must have the tailgate closed. Um also like to propose a yearly municipal breeding license purchased for any individual intentionally producing a litter within Ori County limits and subject to property inspections to ensure that rabies vaccination, which is already a law, is up to date, and that humane and sanitary conditions are there. Uh money is received for this license of which amount is to be discussed. Um can offset some cost at the county shelter and will help with curbing of the over overpopulation of dogs and hopefully reduce the shelter intake, and hopefully reduce the rise of the reported feral dog packs that we are seeing in Ori County. Currently, intake at the county shelter is approximately 300% overcapacity. That's $12.50 per dog approximate cost, which is 4,500 per year per dog, if no vetting is required, which is rare as most have vetting requirements, including spay neuter or heartworm protection. All these proposed solutions can start to curb this overpopulation crisis. Also, um, as you know, 80% are of the shelter are pit bulls or mixed or hounds, but fortunately, those breeds are free to fix now at the Ori County Animal Care Center, which is huge positive step. But the backyard breeders are not taking advantage of this program, and we need another solution for those that continue to be part of the growing problem. I understand that mandating people in Ori County is tough. However, we need to offer low-cost or free spay neuter. We have an opportunity to utilize a free mobile clinic to do this. And what we need from you also is approval on funding for a second vet at the Ori County Care Center. And this can be an alternate alternative solution as well. I'm asking you to review and please help get these proposals to the next step. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. And I've got copies of that right here. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate that. We will move on to review and approval agenda content. Okay. All in fair.
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