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Welcome
to the PIPD
Pawleys
Island, South Carolina, is a town that enjoys a thriving summer community.
It is a place that grows from its 100 or so year round residents to over
5,000 visitors and residents during the summer season. Ensuring the safety
and protection of the community are the dedicated members of the Pawleys
Island Police Department. Although the town's motto is "arrogantly
shabby", the police department is proud of its professional
law enforcement image.
The
Pawleys Island Police Department was created 1993 with a chief, two officers
and one vehicle. Since then the department has expanded to a total of
a chief, three full time officers and three part time officers. Currently
led by Chief Guy Osborne, the officers patrol the 3.8 mile barrier island,
its beaches and the waters surrounding it with three 4x4 vehicles, a 4-wheel
all terrain vehicle and a personal watercraft. The department's personnel
have a vast experience in law enforcement, over 100 years of total police
experience in fact. This experience is widely varied from command staff
through investigations including previous assignments in Horry County,
Georgetown County, City of Columbia, City of Myrtle Beach, City of Detroit,
and New York City. They also have the honor of counting among their ranks
a recipient of the prestigious J.P. Strom Award for Outstanding Police
Recruit from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Academy.
We
hope you enjoy your visit to Pawleys Island and please let us know if
there is anything we can help you with.

©Photo
courtesy of Tanya
Ackerman, Coastal Observer
Message From
The Chief
Thank
you for visiting the best little police police department in South
Carolina. I am confident that our officers will be able to assist
you with whatever situation you may require their expertise. I am very
proud of this agency and the town we serve. Please feel free to contact
me with any comments, suggestions or difficulties you may have.
Sincerely, Chief Guy Osborne
Mission
Statement
It
is the mission of the Pawleys Island Police Department to preserve the
public peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest violators of the law, and
protect life and property. We will uphold the Consitution of these United
States, enforce the laws of the State of South Carolina and the ordinances
of the Town of Pawleys Island.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
- Where is Pawleys
Island? The town is located along
the Atlantic Ocean about 22 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 70 miles
north of Charleston. Click
here for a map.
- Office
Hours - Town Hall is open from
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The Police Department office
is not staffed full time although there is generally an officer on duty.
In An Emergency Call 911, for other
inquiries call town hall (843-237-1698) for information. If you need
to speak with an officer immediately call 843-237-3008 and the dispatcher
will contact one.
- Parking
- There is a limited amount of parking on the
island so please plan your visit accordingly. Parking regulations are
strictly enforced. Here is a list of the public parking and beach accesses.
- Georgetown
County Lot located at the south end of Springs Avenue.
- First
Street Beach Access
- Second
Street Beach Access
- Third
Street Beach Access
- Shell
Road Beach Access
- Adjacent
to the boat landings at Pritchard Street, Shell Road and Third Street.
In addition to these public
parking locations, you may park a vehicle along the side of the road within
five (5) feet of the edge of the pavement unless otherwise posted or restricted.
NO VEHICLES MAY PARK ON THE PAVEMENT IN THE RIGHT
OF WAY.
- Town Court
- The town's court is held the second Thursday
of every month at 5:00 PM at Town Hall unless otherwise noted on the
summons.
- Dogs on beach - You may bring
your dog to the beach. From May 1 through September 30 dogs must be
on a leash from 8:00AM to 8:00PM. Dogs must be under immediate control
and voice command at all times. Please clean up after your dog...
waste bags are provided throughout the island.
- Alcoholic beverages - Alcohol
may be consumed on the beach. Public intoxication and underage drinking
is strictly prohibited. Pawleys Island is a family community and any
disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. You must have proof of age
and identity readily accessible if consuming alcohol in public.
- Fires on beach - Open fires
are prohibited, however you may obtain a permit at town hall for a fire
pit on the beach under the following circumstances. No free-standing
barbeques are allowed, charcoal fires only in a hole dug in the sand.
Absolutely no open flames. Permit holder is responsible for any damages
caused by the fire. No fires within 5 houses of a marked turtle nest.
- Fireworks - Absolutely No Fireworks are
permitted on the island.
- Golf carts
- Golf carts, both electric and gas driven, are prohibited within town
limits. This includes "low speed vehicles" as defined under
Section 56-2-100 of the SC Code of Laws.
- Tents & chairs
- Please remove your tents, tent frames & beach chairs when you
leave for the beach for the day to deter vandalism. We also ask that
you fill in large holes in the sand. These items impede the nesting
process of sea turtles.
- Commercial Enterprises - The
incorporated town is strictly residential. Commercial enterprises, other
than those previously grandfathered, are prohibited on Pawleys Island.
- Surfing
- Surfing is not restricted to a particular section except surfing is
prohibited within 100 yards of the pier under SC Code 50-21-180. Surfing
is also prohibited by law between sunset and sunrise (50-21-820). Surfers
are also prohibited by law to engage in conduct that endangers others
(50-21-840).
Crime
Prevention
To
ensure that Pawleys Island remains a very safe place, we would like to
make it less inviting to thieves and criminals. We ask that you lock
your vehicles at all times and do not leave any items of value
in view. Please secure doors and windows of residences whenever possible.
Store bikes, kayaks and other valuables in a safe place.
For your
Safety
PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY - While
walking or jogging along the road please go against the flow of vehicular
traffic and wear bright clothing after dusk. Rules for safe walking &
jogging:
click here
BICYCLE
SAFETY - While
riding a bicycle on the road you must obey the same traffic regulations
as automobiles. Please do not ride multiple bicycles abreast causing vehicles
to cross the double yellow lines. The use of a bike helmet and reflective
gear is recommended. Rules for safe riding:
click here
WATER
SAFETY - One of the most dangerous problems we encounter
during the summer season are situations where people are not familiar
with ocean swimming and find themselves caught in the rip currents. Please
take a moment to familiarize yourself with some safety guidelines for
swimming in the ocean.
Click Here

Annual
Events
| May
- Pawleys Pavilion Reunion

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July
Fourth Parade

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| July -
Kayak Race

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October - Turtle Strut |
© 2008 - Pawleys Island
Police Department |