SIPOA wants to share a quick, friendly reminder to help everyone stay informed and supported in our community.

From time to time, we hear about individuals – locally and elsewhere – being approached by people offering services, requesting payments, or sharing information that later turns out to be misleading or fraudulent. While there is no cause for alarm, it’s always a good idea to pause and double-check before sharing personal information, sending payments, or agreeing to services you didn’t request.

A few simple reminders that can be helpful:

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or door-to-door offers
• Take time to verify requests for payment or personal information
• When in doubt, ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member for a second opinion

Seabrook Island has always done a great job of looking out for one another, and staying aware is just one more way we can continue to do that. If you notice something that doesn’t feel quite right, we encourage residents to pause and seek verification before taking action.

Thank you for your attention. Together, we will keep our community informed, connected, and supportive.

Understanding the Role and Authority of SIPOA’s Security Officers

As a member of the SIPOA Safety & Security Committee of the Board of Directors for many years, I have heard over and over, among other things, questions about our Security Force similar to “They are only mall cops, why do I need to obey them?”, “Why don’t we have ‘real’ police?”

I’d like to address these questions in this forum.

SIPOA traffic rules and regulations were developed by your neighbors to ensure a safe environment for all. SIPOA homeowners can take comfort in knowing that our community’s safety is supported by a team of trained professionals, licensed by the South Carolina Enforcement Division (SLED). While our officers serve in an unarmed capacity, they operate under some of the most comprehensive security officer regulations in the country.

Who Are Our Security Officers?

Every officer assigned to Seabrook Island is registered through SLED under Title 40, Chapter 18 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This certification grants them certain legal authorities, defines their scope of work, and sets clear limitations to ensure both professionalism and accountability.

What Authority Do They Have?

SLED-licensed officers possess limited arrest authority while on SIPOA property. Specifically, they may:

• Enforce South Carolina criminal laws within SIPOA’s boundaries
• Detain individuals committing or charged with a criminal offense until law enforcement arrive
• Maintain order and safety through patrols, access control, and rapid response to incidents
• Enforce local rules and regulations

It’s important to note this authority exists only while the officer is on SIPOA property and actively employed. SIPOA’s officers are currently unarmed and do not carry firearms. However, new SLED requirements as of 2026 will require our officers to carry a non-lethal collapsible baton. These requirements state, “Unarmed SLED Security Officers should not conduct traffic stops or make arrests without being issued proper protective equipment.” This new regulation comes amid increased violence at county traffic stops. Our officers will be trained in their use, or in most cases, non-use.

What Do They Do For The Community?

SIPOA’s contracted security team plays a vital role in maintaining Seabrook Island’s safety and peace of mind. Their duties include:

• Visible Patrols & Deterrence: Providing a consistent, reassuring presence throughout the island.
• Enforcing SIPOA Rules: Monitoring and reporting any violations of community covenants and regulations.
• Access Control: Managing entry to the island and ensuring only authorized individuals are permitted.
• Emergency Response: Assisting residents during emergencies, securing scenes, and coordinating with first responders.
• Law Enforcement Liaison: Working closely with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office on incidents that extend beyond SIPOA’s jurisdiction.

Understanding The Limits

While SLED-trained officers are empowered to act when necessary, there are clear boundaries:

• Arrest authority applies only within SIPOA property
• Officers cannot transport individuals under arrest.
• They are not sworn police officers and have no jurisdiction off the island.
• All officers are required to renew their registration annually and complete ongoing training.

Also, one might wonder why the security vehicle lights are green instead of red or blue. Again, this is mandated by SLED and has a direct impact on the level of policing required. Red is reserved for EMS, and if blue lights are used, traffic violation fines are higher and are required to count as points against your license (currently, SIPOA infractions do not impact your insurance).

Why Seabrook Island Uses a Private Security Team and Not a Police Force?

On Seabrook Island, safety and peace of mind are top priorities. Many residents have asked why SIPOA contracts with a professional company instead of hiring sworn police officers to patrol our community. The answer comes down to cost, flexibility, and community focus.

A Smart, Cost-Effective Approach

Having our own police department sounds impressive – but it would also come with a very high price tag. Police officers require salaries, benefits, vehicles, insurance, equipment, and administrative oversight. Those costs can quickly become two to three times higher than maintaining a professional private security team.

With a contracted security provider, SIPOA pays a predictable service fee that already includes staffing, training, insurance, and management. That means we get round-the-clock coverage without passing major new expenses onto homeowners.

When a situation requires police involvement, our officers work directly with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office to ensure a seamless response. This partnership provides the best of both worlds – local familiarity and official law enforcement backup.

Unlike county or city officers who patrol large areas, SIPOA’s security team is dedicated exclusively to our island. They know our roads, our residents, and our community standards. Their goal is to protect property, maintain peace, and provide friendly, professional service to everyone who lives or visits here. SIPOA imposes no financial incentive for security to issue citations.

In summary, Seabrook Island’s unarmed SLED-trained security officers provide a strong first line of safety for residents and guests. Their legal authority, while limited to SIPOA property, ensures they can respond quickly and appropriately to incidents while maintaining close coordination with law enforcement.

Homeowners should treat them with the same respect they would treat fellow homeowners. If you are caught in an infraction, do not take it out on the security officers. They, like the Sheriff’s Department and other police, do not make the rules and regulations. However, they are sworn to enforce them.

Through professional training, community engagement, and adherence to state standards, SIPOA’s security team does a very good job of upholding the island’s commitment to safety and peace of mind. SIPOA ensures Seabrook Island remains safe, well-managed, and welcoming – without adding unnecessary costs to homeowners.

Submitted by Richie Bavasso, Safety & Security, Vice Chair

Our Island. Our Neighbors. Our Responsibility.

Life on Seabrook Island moves at its own pace – slower, friendlier, and closer to nature. With over 2,500 Property Owners, our roads are more than just pavement; they are shared pathways connecting neighbors, beaches, and island life. But they are also busy spaces where cars, low-speed vehicles (LSVs), bicycles, walkers, joggers, and even the occasional golf cart come together. As our island grows more active, it is important to remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether behind the wheel, on two feet, or pedaling on two wheels, sharing the road with care helps protect the people and peace that make island life so special.

Even though LSVs and bicycles are very different, they share many of the same responsibilities under South Carolina traffic laws and SIPOA rules. Both must:

• Obey all traffic signs, signals, and speed limits – stop at stop signs and yield when required.
• Ride/drive with the flow of traffic – always travel in the same direction as vehicles.
• Use hand or electronic signals to show when turning or stopping.
• Stay as far right as is safe on the roadway.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and shared areas.
• Use lights after dark: front white light and red-light reflector.
• Avoid distracted driving or riding; no phones, earbuds, or anything that limits awareness.
• Share the road courteously – give space, slow down when passing, and always drive defensively.

Remember: LSVs and Bikes both have a legal right to use the road and a shared duty to do so safely.

Over the course of our road sharing campaign, we saw promising signs that families are taking responsibility for safe LSV use. Many residents confirmed that they now understand and are adhering to the key legal requirements under South Carolina law. The objective of our campaign was to enhance safety awareness, increase enforcement of regulations, and collect data regarding the use of LSVs on the island. To do this, our security staff added additional patrol hours for the month. A total of 311 citations were issued, of which 97 were for LSV-related violations. The officers conducted stops, provided safety handouts, and increased visible enforcement presence. The results are as follows:

• Citations by Driver Type: Property Owners: 51%, Visitors: 22%, Renters: 27%
• Citations by Category: No pass displayed: 38%, Expired registrations 25%, Parking violations: 22%, Moving violations: 3%, Other, 12%.
• Observed LSV usage: Daily Average: 35 – 40; Peak usage: Friday through Sunday

Community concerns vs. findings: often, initial concerns were underage drivers and seat belt use. (Seat belt use is difficult to verify due to Type 1 Lap Belts often being obscured by clothing or bags.) Less than 10% of the stops revealed underage drivers or unrestrained occupants. Data shows violations were distributed across all user groups.

The campaign successfully met its objectives to improve safety, promote compliance, and gather valuable data for further planning. The recommendations are to continue seasonal campaigns, sustain heightened enforcement during peak summer months, and target education by providing clear information to Property Owners about actual trends. We will maintain structured records for ongoing comparisons year-to-year.

The Safety and Security Committee will continue to provide helpful information about our island. What are our Security forces responsible for? How do they differ from regular police officers? Find out the answers in next month’s issue of Currents.

Submitted by Maryanne Connelly, Safety & Security Committee Chair

SIPOA has received many comments from Property Owners voicing concerns about Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) safety. Our beautiful island is home to many families utilizing LSVs, cars and bicycles, and we want to ensure that everyone travels safely while sharing our roads. To enhance community safety, SIPOA is launching an initiative focusing on LSV safety education and rules enforcement. SIPOA officers already monitor and stop LSVs when violations are observed. In June 2025, 23 LSVs were issued citations for observed violations. 52% of the violators were Property Owners, 39% were renters, and 9% were guests of Property Owners.

Between August 1, 2025, and Labor Day, additional officers will be stationed around the island for added enforcement, including citations of observed safety violations. Note – SIPOA officers have jurisdiction on SIPOA roadways only. They cannot enforce in areas outside the gate between Landfall Way and the traffic circle, or on SIC property.

LSVs have been permitted on Seabrook Island since 2008. They’re popular alternatives because they conserve fuel, use less space in parking areas, and their top speed complies with our 25mph speed limit.

Currently, there are 508 LSVs registered to SIPOA Property Owners. That means almost 20% of SIPOA residents own LSVs for their personal use. During peak visitor season, rental LSVs are added to the mix of vehicles on the island.

SIPOA wants to ensure that all drivers are aware of LSV rules. Rental guests are provided with vehicle rules prior to obtaining a gate pass, and the following information is a refresher for all LSV operators.

LSV BASICS

What is an LSV?

An LSV:

• Is a 4-wheeled motor-vehicle with a maximum speed of 25mph.
• Is registered with the state as a motor vehicle.
• Is insured.
• Has license plates with LSV or LV designations.
• Has a 17-digit VIN number assigned by the manufacturer.
• May only be operated by a licensed driver at least 16 years of age.
• May only be driven on roadways with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.
• May NOT be driven on bike paths, sidewalks, trails, boardwalks or golf courses.
• Is subject to the same vehicle laws as a regular motor-vehicle – including DUI/open cans and use of seatbelts/child safety seats

LSVs may be electric or gasoline-powered, weigh less than 3,000 lbs., and have:

• Headlights
• Tail lights
• Front and rear turn signals
• Brake lights
• Reflectors
• Exterior mirrors
• Parking brake
• Windshield
• Seatbelts for every seat
• A speedometer
• A horn

What is NOT an LSV?

An LSV is NOT a “Golf Cart” or “Street-Legal” golf cart (SLGC) although the terms are often used interchangeably by the casual observer. SLGCs are golf carts that have been retrofitted to include some of the same equipment features as an LSV.

If Golf Carts and LSVs have similar equipment, what’s the difference?

The most significant difference is that LSVs are classified as motor vehicles and have 17-digit Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) just like your car or truck. They are registered by the state DMV as a motor vehicle, not a golf cart. They are issued LSV license plates, require insurance, and may only be operated by a licensed driver.

SLGCs have a 9-15 digit serial numbers and may be issued a Golf Cart Permit by the DMV. Even if the golf cart manufacturers have installed LSV features in a SLGC, the vehicle is not “street legal” to Federal standards unless it has a 17 digit VIN#. The State of SC “will not title or register homemade low speed vehicles, retrofitted golf carts, or any other similar vehicles, since these will not qualify as low speed vehicles in this state.” Golf carts including SLGCs, are not permitted on SIPOA roadways.

Who can drive an LSV?

LSVs may only be operated by drivers who:

• Are at least 16 years of age AND
• Who have a valid driver’s license.

Drivers must have their driver’s license and vehicle registration in their possession while operating an LSV. Remember – if a child under age 16 or an unlicensed driver operating a motor vehicle gets into an accident, the owner of the vehicle may be held criminally responsible for child endangerment. The owner could also be financially responsible for any damages caused by an accident involving an underaged/unlicensed driver.

How many people can be in an LSV?

• The number of seats in an LSV is equal to the number of passengers allowed in the vehicle.
• One passenger per seat – No one is permitted to stand, sit on laps, or share seats.

Are seatbelts required?

• Yes – LSVs are motor vehicles subject to SC seatbelt laws.
• All passengers must be secured.
• The SIPOA citation amount for failure to use a seatbelt is $50.00 for each unsecured passenger.

Children in an LSV?

SC has specific child safety motor vehicle laws.

• Children under age 8 or under 4’9” tall must be in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and size.
• Drivers may face penalties for failing to properly secure children.
• The violation for a car seat violation is $150.00 plus possible legal actions or insurance issues if an accident occurs.

Let’s work together to protect our families and visitors. Please abide by these safety measures and help us create a safer more enjoyable environment for everyone.