ATLANTIC BEACH, S.C. — Atlantic Beach, the small Horry County town between Myrtle Beach, S.C., and North Myrtle Beach, took its first step toward rebuilding its police force Monday night, Oct. 5, when Jablonski Green was sworn in as police chief during a Town Council meeting.
Mayor Josephine Isom swore in Green, making him the town’s first officer in nearly seven months. Atlantic Beach lost its entire police force earlier this year, and its previous chief, Joseph Cooper, left the job after about two months. Green is the fourth chief to join the department since 2024.
Green brings years of law enforcement experience, including assignments with the Darlington and Florence County sheriff’s offices and, most recently, a role as a major with the South Carolina State University police department.
The department is budgeted for six officers, and the town’s fiscal year 2027 budget is set up for the new force. Green said he first wants to sort out compliance issues and make sure the department follows state law, and he hopes to have officers hired by around January. In the meantime, the Horry County Police Department has been patrolling the town, with help from Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach.
Green also promised an open-door approach and said he plans to be visible and easy to reach. He will meet with the town manager in the coming weeks to decide how best to rebuild the department.
