The Horry County non-emergency number is 843-248-1520, which reaches Public Safety Communications for unincorporated areas of the county.1Horry County SC.Gov. HC Police Directory If you live inside a city like Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, or Conway, that city runs its own dispatch and you’ll want a different number. Use the non-emergency line when no one is in immediate danger and the situation isn’t actively getting worse; otherwise dial 911.
Non-Emergency Numbers by Municipality
Horry County covers a lot of ground, and each incorporated city or town handles its own policing. Calling the wrong agency means a transfer and a delay, so match the number to where the incident happened.
- Unincorporated Horry County: 843-248-15201Horry County SC.Gov. HC Police Directory
- Myrtle Beach: 843-918-13822Myrtle Beach Police Department. FAQs
- North Myrtle Beach: 843-280-55113North Myrtle Beach, SC. Police
- Conway: 843-248-17604City of Conway, SC. Police
- Surfside Beach: 843-913-63685Town of Surfside Beach, SC. Police
- Aynor: 843-358-39006Town of Aynor. Police Department
- Loris: dispatched through Horry County at 843-248-1520, with administrative calls at 843-756-40007City of Loris, SC. Police Department
Not sure whether your address sits inside a city or in unincorporated territory? Start with 843-248-1520. The county dispatcher can redirect you if the call belongs to someone else.
When To Call Non-Emergency Instead of 911
The simple test: if nobody is in danger right now and the situation isn’t escalating, use the non-emergency line. Dialing 911 for something that doesn’t need an immediate response ties up dispatchers who may be handling someone else’s actual emergency.
Reasons people call the non-emergency line include:
- Property crimes that are already over, like coming home to a broken window and missing items with the suspect long gone.
- Noise complaints, whether a neighbor’s party or a barking dog.
- Minor traffic collisions on public roads with no injuries.
- Suspicious activity that looks off but doesn’t appear to be an active crime.
- Animal control issues such as stray or aggressive animals. The county routes these through the same 843-248-1520 line.8Horry County SC.Gov. Animal Care Center Intake Form
- Follow-ups on an existing report or new information to add.
If a situation changes while you’re on hold and someone is now in danger, hang up and call 911.
What To Have Ready Before You Call
Dispatchers work through a structured set of questions, and having answers ready moves things along. Location matters most. A specific street address is ideal, but a recognizable intersection or landmark works if you don’t have the number.
Have a short description of what happened or what you’re seeing. If vehicles are involved, the make, model, color, and any partial plate help responding officers spot them. For incidents involving people, clothing, height, and direction of travel are more useful than general impressions. The dispatcher will ask clarifying questions, so you don’t need a polished narrative up front.
Filing Reports Online
For some low-level incidents in unincorporated Horry County, you can skip the phone call and use the Horry County Police Department’s online citizen reporting portal.9Horry County SC.Gov. Citizens The system covers petty theft under $2,000, vehicle tampering, identity theft, harassment, malicious property damage, trespassing, shoplifting, and nuisance animals.
A few limits apply. The portal is only for incidents in unincorporated Horry County, not within Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Aynor, or Loris.9Horry County SC.Gov. Citizens Motor vehicle accidents and hit-and-runs are excluded; for those, contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol at 843-365-5001. Filing online doesn’t automatically bring an officer out or start an investigation. You’ll get a temporary report number and can print a copy, but allow about five business days for the report to move into the records system.
If your incident happened inside Myrtle Beach city limits, no online form is available. Call the Myrtle Beach non-emergency line at 843-918-1382 or email uniformpatrol@cityofmyrtlebeach.com to request a report.10City of Myrtle Beach. Police Department
Getting a Copy of the Police Report
Insurance claims, court cases, and landlord disputes often require an official copy. Horry County and Myrtle Beach both process these requests under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, and public bodies generally have ten working days to respond, with records due within thirty calendar days after that.11South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 30 Chapter 4 – Freedom of Information Act Fees may apply for requests that require extensive searching.
Horry County Reports
Submit through the Horry County Public Information Office’s online portal, or mail the request to the Horry County Public Information Office, Attn. FOIA Manager, P.O. Box 1236, Conway, SC 29528.12Horry County SC.Gov. Public Information Office The department will not release personal information about individuals except to comply with legal proceedings or protect public safety.
Myrtle Beach Reports
Myrtle Beach requires FOIA requests in writing. Email FOIA@cityofmyrtlebeach.com, fax 843-918-1028, or mail P.O. Box 2468, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.13Myrtle Beach Police Department. Freedom of Information A downloadable FOIA form is available on the city’s website, though you’re not required to use it. Include names, dates, and the nature of the incident.
Non-Police Issues
Utility problems don’t belong on the non-emergency police line. For electrical outages, Horry Electric Cooperative members should call 843-369-2212 or report through the cooperative’s mobile app or online portal.14Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc. Outage Center Water and sewer issues go to your local utility provider, which varies depending on whether you’re served by Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority or a municipal system. Check your utility bill for the right number.