Update, October 2026: The Folly Beach Public Safety Department is now led by Director of Public Safety Andrew Gilreath (City of Folly Beach). The quotes below are from an earlier profile with Chief Dennis Brown.
“Protecting Paradise” — it’s more than a motto for the Folly Beach Public Safety Department. It’s a promise. Chief Dennis Brown, who led the department when this profile was written, summed it up perfectly: “We live in paradise, and it’s our responsibility to keep it that way.”
The Folly Beach Public Safety Department provides the full range of emergency and community services on the island, including police, fire, rescue, dispatch, animal control, beach patrol, and parking enforcement. “We’re a full-service agency,” says Chief Brown. “We handle medical calls, law enforcement, rescues, and fires. We do everything.”
The department is staffed by a dedicated team of more than 70 full- and part-time employees, supported by seasonal volunteers and lifeguards during the summer months. Together, they protect an island whose population can swell from just over 2,000 residents to more than 60,000 visitors on peak days.
During beach season, Public Safety officers are easily spotted in blue polos or uniforms, while volunteer beach patrols in yellow vests assist with crowd control, heat-related illness, jellyfish stings, lost children, and enforcing Folly’s alcohol-free beach ordinance. The team also supports fire and rescue operations, responds to water emergencies, and coordinates with Charleston County EMS during major incidents.
Beyond the shoreline, officers patrol Center Street, residential neighborhoods, and public spaces like Folly River Park and the Community Center, ensuring both safety and accessibility for residents and visitors alike. The department also manages parking enforcement and helps keep traffic flowing during busy weekends and special events.
Community involvement remains at the heart of the department’s success. Administrative Sergeant James “Jimmy” Couche, who has served Folly for more than two decades, emphasizes that connection: “We’re not just enforcing laws — we’re serving our neighbors. That’s what makes this community special.”
Public Safety’s outreach programs continue to grow, focusing on youth mentorship, elderly wellness checks, and volunteer opportunities that bring the community closer together. As Sergeant Couche puts it, “We like to encourage involvement and input. That’s the whole idea — to make everyone part of keeping Folly safe.”
The department is headquartered behind Folly Beach City Hall, at the corner of Center Street and East Cooper Avenue. For non-emergency inquiries or community programs, residents can call (843) 588-2433 for the quickest response. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Through it all, the department’s focus has stayed clear — protecting both the people and the charm that make Folly so unique. “We want visitors to come here and enjoy everything this island offers,” he says. “Then slow down, breathe in the sea air, and remember why this is such a special place.”
