Hilton Head Island plans to upgrade, install new security cameras at Coligny Beach amid rise in teen, young adult crime

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) - Law enforcement on Hilton Head Island said they’ve seen an uptick in crime involving teens and young adults over the last three years, prompting new safety measures in one of the island’s busiest destinations.

As part of a safety plan sent from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to the Town of Hilton Head Island, officials said they will install and upgrade about 60 security cameras around the Coligny Beach area, a popular hub that draws thousands of visitors daily, especially during the summer.

“We used to go to Myrtle Beach, but it just got a little too rowdy,” Nick Braswell said. “Now we come to Hilton Head because it’s more family-oriented. We have a two-year-old, so it makes it safer and more fun.”

Town officials said concerns tend to rise after dark, when Coligny’s atmosphere can shift late at night and into the early morning.

“We’ve noticed an uptick in complaints regarding large groups of juveniles and young adults hanging around our beach parks, parking lots, and the beach itself,” Town of Hilton Head Island’s Director of Public Safety, Bob Bromage, said.

Bromage said the expanded camera network is meant to deter crime, improve accountability, and support faster response when incidents occur.

“This is in response to numerous complaints of late-night beachgoers who are loitering — underage drinking, drugs and again in possession of firearms,” Bromage said.

The cameras will be monitored in-house by law enforcement and town staff. Bromage said many of the incidents they’ve responded to in recent years have involved teenagers or young adults gathering around Coligny late at night.

A camera on a moving cart is already on Coligny Beach, but it is monitored by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and has been on the beach for the past three summers.

The cart is moved around based on what’s happening on the beach and it is used as a deterrent for people and as a way to hold people accountable for their actions.

While some residents and visitors have raised privacy concerns, Bromage said the focus is on criminal activity — not people lawfully enjoying the area.

“We’re here to reassure the public that this is not to monitor lawful activity,” Bromage said.

Officials said the cameras could also help in other public safety situations, including missing persons cases.

“It’s a great resource,” Bromage said. “We can get right on it, monitor it immediately, and hopefully locate the children or the missing adult.”

Work on the camera installations and upgrades is expected to begin in July and take about 90 days to complete.

Town officials said parking lots and beach access will remain open during the project.