Starting this week you’ll have to double-check your pockets before heading into the Horry County courthouse.
New changes to the judicial center’s security process start February 1.
Previously, if you walked into the judicial center and accidentally had a pocket knife or pepper spray on you, the sheriff’s office would hold onto those items for you until you could get them on your way out.
They’re not going to do that anymore. HCSO said they have multiple big bins full of people’s knives, mace and personal items that they never came back to get.
The new policy is also for safety– sometimes items that look harmless can actually be used as a weapon, like a knife disguised as a tube of lipstick.
Starting Friday, you will have to walk back out to your car and return any items that are not allowed instead of leaving them with the front desk.
“We’ve had so many boxes and bins of these items and it was getting nearly impossible to get track of it all,” HCSO spokesperson Brooke Holden said.
There are signs posted around the courthouse reminding you of the changes.
They will also be posted in the parking lots so that you know what’s not allowed before you get up to the security line.
