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Resident urges council not to merge Horry County Police and Sheriff’s offices
Summary
Kelly LaPietra told the council she opposes consolidating the Horry County Police Department into the sheriff’s office, arguing deputies lack the training and capacity for present police duties and warning a feasibility study and consolidation would burden taxpayers.
Kelly LaPietra, a Myrtle Beach resident, urged Horry County Council during public input to oppose any consolidation of the Horry County Police Department into the Horry County Sheriff’s Office. "With Horry County growing as fast as it is, it would be the worst move to merge departments at this time," LaPietra said, adding that the two agencies have different training, staffing and support structures.
LaPietra told the council her research showed the county’s population has grown rapidly since 2020 and argued the sheriff’s office does not currently have the staffing or civilian support that some larger county sheriff systems have. She cited examples from Suffolk County, N.Y., to contrast staffing levels and said consolidating now would require "a proper extensive comprehensive feasibility study" that she estimated could take six months to a year and cost "close to $100,000,000," a figure she framed as a burden to taxpayers.
The council received the comment during the public-input segment and took no immediate action on consolidation; no council member moved to place a consolidation study or referendum on tonight’s agenda.
Why it matters: consolidation of a county police department into a sheriff’s office would change local law-enforcement structure, training responsibilities and budget priorities. LaPietra framed the question as both a public‑safety and taxpayer-cost issue and urged caution and additional study before any formal action.
What the record shows: LaPietra’s population and cost figures were presented as her research and estimation. The council did not adopt any motion tonight directing staff to initiate or fund a consolidation feasibility study.
