Myrtle Beach, SC, October 7, 2025
News Summary
In response to increased security issues and a recent lawsuit, Horry County Schools is implementing a new crisis-alert system featuring CENTEGIX panic buttons. This system allows for rapid lockdown activation, significantly improving emergency response times across campuses. The initiative follows a serious incident involving a student bringing a gun to school and aims to enhance safety protocols. With nearly doubled spending on armed security and AI technology integration, the school district prioritizes the well-being of its 48,000 students and staff for full implementation by 2026.
Myrtle Beach, SC: Horry County Schools Implements New Crisis-Alert System Following Security Concerns and Recent Lawsuit
In response to heightened security concerns and following a recent lawsuit, Horry County Schools (HCS) is launching a new crisis-alert system aimed at improving emergency response times across its campuses. The initiative comes a month after a student brought a gun to a school in Myrtle Beach, prompting the Horry County Board of Education to call for the dismissal of the district’s longstanding safety and security coordinator.
Public records reveal that the board made the decision to remove the safety and security coordinator just days after the gun incident, highlighting the district’s ongoing focus on safety. The new alert system features CENTEGIX panic buttons, which will be worn by staff and can operate across school campuses without relying on wireless networks or mobile devices.
This system allows for lockdown mode to be activated in a remarkably quick timeframe of 8-10 seconds, compared to the previous 90-second process. The panic buttons offer dual alert options: a “help needed” alert triggered by a single press, and a campus-wide lockdown alert initiated by pressing the button eight times. In the event of a lockdown, classrooms will see strobe lights flash, and emergency instructions will be displayed on screens throughout the school.
Additionally, HCS has almost doubled its spending on armed security across its 59 campuses. Earlier in the year, the district also introduced AI-driven weapons detection systems in schools, further enhancing its security measures. The cost of implementing the new panic button system is estimated at around $1 million, with installations occurring during non-instructional hours. Full implementation is expected by the start of 2026, following comprehensive training for staff members.
The introduction of this new system comes amid ongoing administrative reviews due to a separate incident in August 2025, where a special education student wandered away during recess. Furthermore, the district faces legal challenges, as David Beaty, the former Coordinator of School Safety and Security, has filed a lawsuit against HCS and a board member. Beaty claims he was compelled to resign after security incidents and accuses the board of defamation and policy violations, linked to a vote of no confidence concerning the security staff. Beaty had been employed with HCS from 2012 to 2024 and had received consistently outstanding performance evaluations during his tenure.
Following Beaty’s departure, Mike Frederick was hired as the new executive director of safety and security in August 2024. Horry County Schools currently serves over 48,000 students and has more than 3,000 teachers, raising ongoing safety and security concerns among parents and community members.
Key Features of the Crisis-Alert System
- Operational Panic Buttons: Designed to function across all school campuses without reliance on networks.
- Rapid Lockdown Activation: Lockdown mode can be activated in 8-10 seconds.
- Alert Types: “Help needed” alert by a single press and campus-wide lockdown alert by pressing the button eight times.
- Visual Signals: Strobe lights flash in classrooms, and emergency instructions displayed on screens during a lockdown.
- Enhanced Spending on Security: Nearly doubled investment in armed security across campuses.
- AI-Driven Technology: Implementation of weapons detection systems initiated at the start of the year.
- Cost: Implementation of the system estimated at $1 million, with non-instructional hour installations.
- Completion Timeline: Full implementation set for the start of 2026.
FAQ
What is the new crisis-alert system being implemented by Horry County Schools?
Horry County Schools is launching a new crisis-alert system featuring CENTEGIX panic buttons to enhance emergency response times across its campuses.
How quickly can lockdown mode be activated with the new system?
Lockdown mode can be activated in 8-10 seconds, significantly faster than the previous process which took 90 seconds.
What types of alerts can the panic buttons provide?
The panic buttons offer two types of alerts: a “help needed” alert activated by a single press, and a campus-wide lockdown alert activated by pressing the button eight times.
When is full implementation of the new alert system expected?
Full implementation of the new alert system is expected by the start of 2026 after thorough training for staff.
Chart: Key Features of Horry County Schools’ Crisis-Alert System
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Operational Panic Buttons | Function on campuses without reliance on networks |
| Rapid Lockdown Activation | Can be activated in 8-10 seconds |
| Alert Types | “Help needed” alert and campus-wide lockdown alert |
| Visual Signals | Strobe lights and emergency instructions displayed during lockdown |
| Enhanced Spending on Security | Nearly doubled investment in armed security |
| AI-Driven Technology | Weapons detection systems implemented |
| Cost | Implementation estimated at around $1 million |
| Completion Timeline | Full implementation expected by start of 2026 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Carolina Forest Special Education Student Wandered
- WMBF News: Horry County School Board Leaders Consider Safety Committee
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News Coverage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Safety in Schools
- Google Search: Horry County Schools Safety
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
