Horry County is shaped by its prime coastal position along the Grand Strand, which has contributed to steady economic and population growth. The county is home to more than 413,000 residents and serves as the central county of the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its well known communities include Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Little River, and North Myrtle Beach.
The average violent crime rate in Horry County is about 12% higher than the national average at approximately 118.9 per 100,000 residents. In comparison, the average property crime rate is about 2.9% lower than the national figure at roughly 158.8 per 100,000 residents.
As the primary law enforcement agency in the area, the Horry County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail.
In Horry County, the Sheriff's Office is the main source for accessing arrest logs, inmate release details, jail booking information, and active warrant records. Other law enforcement agencies generate reports when an individual is apprehended. The Sheriff's Office manages the complete records regarding the individual's period in custody.
Public safety in Horry County is handled by several agencies, including federal authorities, state police, local police departments, campus police, and the County Sheriff's Office.
As the primary repository for public detention records, the Horry County Sheriff's Office maintains detailed jail rosters and official arrest logs. The county sheriff's office manages the county detention center, active warrants, inmate intake and release information, as well as arrest records.
Local police departments may make arrests and prepare reports within their own jurisdictional areas. When these departments detain an individual, they are then booked into the Horry County jail. Local police departments are located in Atlantic Beach, Surfside Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Loris, Briarcliffe Acres, and Aynor.
As the state-level police, the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) is responsible for investigating interjurisdictional offenses and conducting highway stops. An arrest made by the SCHP shows up in county arrest logs when the individual arrested is booked into the Horry County jail.
When federal agencies like ATF, FBI, and DEA investigate federal-level cases in Horry County and make arrests, the information may show up in the county arrest logs if the detainee was temporarily held in the county jail.
Campus police address emergencies and public safety issues that occur on university or college property. When an arrest takes place, the individual is booked into the county jail. In Horry County, on-campus incidents are handled by the Coastal Carolina University Police Department.
Other law enforcement agencies in Horry County that have specialized jurisdiction are the State Transport Police and the South Carolina Department of Parole, Probation, and Pardon Services. Additionally, Horry County has a dedicated county police department that handles policing in unincorporated areas of the county.
While looking up arrest records in Horry County, you may expect to find the following details:
The information available to the public may vary depending on the case type and the holding agency. To maintain privacy, access to details involving juveniles or active investigations is generally restricted.
The violent crime rate in Horry County is about 118.9 per 100,000 residents, making it about 12% higher than the national average. Meanwhile, the property crime rate stands at roughly 158.8 per 100,000 residents, which is about 2.9% lower than the national average.
The table below shows a breakdown of arrest statistics in Horry County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 6,527 |
Adult Arrests | - |
Juvenile Arrests | - |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 20 |
Rape | - |
Robbery | 60 |
Aggravated Assault | 460 |
Burglary | 160 |
Larceny | 1,620 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 120 |
Arson | 10 |
Source: South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division Crime Statistics
Common Warrant Types in Horry County, SC
Several types of warrants may appear in public arrest records in Horry County. Warrants are issued by the courts for different legal reasons and may result in the arrest of an individual and their booking into the county jail. Although the terminology and procedures can vary slightly depending on state law, the following are the most common types of warrants:
An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement or a prosecutor shows probable cause that a person committed a crime. These warrants often appear in arrest logs and can be executed by authorized officers.
A bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone fails to appear in court or comply with a court order. It is one of the most common warrant types found in county arrest records.
A civil capias warrant is issued in civil court cases when someone disobeys a court order, such as failing to appear or comply. It can lead to arrest and booking despite originating in a civil matter.
A fugitive warrant is issued when a person is wanted in another county or state. Such cases often involve extradition and will show up in county arrest logs if the person is arrested locally.
A governor's warrant is a formal warrant issued by a state governor to initiate extradition between states. While less common, it can appear in arrest or court records for interstate cases.
A search warrant authorizes law enforcement to search property or seize evidence. While not issuing arrest warrants, searches may lead to arrests and be reflected in related cases or arrest reports.
To obtain warrant information, you may visit the Sheriff's Office or contact the Warrant Division at (843) 915 8347. Although the office does not publicly publish a list of individuals in custody, interested parties may request information by submitting a FOIA Request online or by mail at:
Horry County Sheriff's Office
Attn. Brennan Cavanagh
1301 Second Ave
Conway, SC 29526
Because local police departments generate reports for arrests made by their officers, requesters may locate arrest information by visiting the arresting agency's website or by going to the agency in person. Requesters may be required to present valid identification and pay copying fees to access records.
The following are local police departments and the detention facility in Horry County:
Agency Name: Horry County Sheriff's Office
City: Conway
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Phone Number: (843) 915-5450
Website: https://www.horrycountysc.gov/departments/sheriffs-office
Staffing: The Horry County Sheriff's Office employs over 300 personnel
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Atlantic Beach Police Department | 717 Atlantic Street, Atlantic Beach, SC 29582 | (843) 663-2274 |
Aynor Police Department | 600 S Main Street, Aynor, SC 29511 | (843) 358-3900 |
Briarcliffe Acres Police Department | 121 North Gate Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 | (843) 997-9500 |
Loris Police Department | 3909 Walnut Street, Loris, SC 29569 | (843) 248-1520 |
Myrtle Beach Police Department | 1101 N Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | (843) 918-1300 |
North Myrtle Beach Police Department | 1015 2nd Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 | (843) 280-5511 |
Surfside Beach Police Department | 811 Pine Drive, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 | (843) 913-6368 |