Hilton Head expands private security patrols after Coligny Beach shooting

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has added officers from the local firm Island Security Services to patrol the town after a July 4 shooting at Coligny Beach injured eight people, The Island Packet reported on October 29. The town has never had a police department since it was founded in 1983, the paper said.

Key points#

The town decided in August to add Island Security officers to an existing contract so they patrol the town proper, public safety director Bob Bromage said, The Island Packet reported.
The town pays $50 an hour for a mix of armed and unarmed officers, according to the company's director of operations.
Island Security employs roughly 70 people, all certified by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the paper reported.
Its officers can make arrests but must then call the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office for further help, The Island Packet reported.

What the contract covers#

Town hall already had a contract with Island Security before the town added officers to patrol the town proper, The Island Packet reported. The reports do not say how many officers were added or what the contract is worth.

The town hall contract expires in November, while the contract to patrol the town proper continues, the paper reported. Jordan Marin, Island Security's director of operations, said the town pays $50 an hour for a mix of armed and unarmed officers.

Island Security is headquartered on the island and can take contracts anywhere in South Carolina, The Island Packet reported. Its clients include several bars and gated communities, Sea Crest Oceanfront Resort and Coligny Plaza, the paper said.

What the private officers can and cannot do#

Island Security officers can make arrests but must then call officers from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office for further help, the paper reported. They are not required to step in if they see a crime in an area they are not contracted to cover.

Some staff have medical training, but it is not required, and Marin said the company cannot require qualifications beyond what SLED requires, The Island Packet reported.

How the town got here#

Days after the shooting, the town council held a special meeting on island safety and made no firm decisions on a curfew, an island police department or community resource officers, WSAV reported on July 9. The town planned to study the cost of its own police force, the station said.

What residents say#

One resident told the paper he had not heard about the added security from the council, and another pointed to a lack of communication with the public, The Island Packet reported. Marin said the company has heard positive feedback from residents since adding staff.

What it means for your company#

Make the patrols visible. Two residents told the paper they had not seen any patrols. Share patrol tour logs and a regular client report so the client can show what was done.
Write down the limits of the post. Spell out in the contract and post orders where officers patrol, what they do when they see a crime outside that area, and when they call law enforcement.
Price armed and unarmed hours clearly. Show which posts are armed and what each costs, so there are no surprises at renewal.
Check the rules before you bid. Certification and arrest powers for private officers differ by state. Check with the state agency or an attorney before you take on public patrol work.

In Guardix, clients see tours and checkpoint logs in the client portal, and can be notified when a tour is completed.

Frequently asked questions#

Does Hilton Head Island have a police department?#

No. The town has never had a police department since it was founded in 1983, The Island Packet reported. Island Security officers who make an arrest must call the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office for help.

How much does Hilton Head pay for private security?#

The town pays $50 an hour for a mix of armed and unarmed officers, according to Island Security's director of operations, The Island Packet reported. The reports do not give the total value of the contract.