North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Ruben Lowman
The town of Atlantic Beach is facing a dual crisis of leadership and law enforcement following the sudden resignation of its most recent police chief and a controversial move by the town council to penalize one of its own members.
During a special meeting scheduled for this week, the council is set to consider a resolution to censure Mayor Pro Tem John David Jr. for an alleged violation of the council-manager form of government. The resolution argues that David overstepped his legislative authority by interfering with executive and administrative duties, which are legally vested in Town Manager Adrian Jones.
This political infighting appears intertwined with what has become a revolving door in the town’s police department, which currently has no sworn officers on duty.
Police Chief Joseph Cooper, who was sworn in on just last December with promises of “brighter days” and a clean slate for the community, resigned in mid-February after just over two months on the job. In a scathing resignation letter addressed to town officials and residents, Cooper described a hostile work environment that made it impossible for him to lead.
His departure follows the firing of interim chief Carlos Castillo in October 2025 and the April 2024 arrest of former chief Quentin Robinson on prostitution charges.
Mayor Pro Tem John David Jr. maintains that the attempt to censure him is a direct act of retaliation for his efforts to involve state authorities in the town’s affairs.
David confirmed that he filed a request for a formal investigation with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) on February 3,, asking the agency to look into the rapid exodus of police officers, staff and contractors since the current town manager took office in July 2025. David has characterized himself as a whistleblower, asserting that he is being targeted for reporting what he believes to be harassment and administrative cover-ups.
SLED has confirmed they are looking into reports related to the town, though the scope of their involvement remains under scrutiny.
As the political infighting continues, the physical safety of Atlantic Beach residents currently rests in the hands of the Horry County Police Department. The county has been tasked with patrolling the town’s streets while the local department remains void of personnel.
For a community that was told just a few short months ago that its police department would soon be rebuilt, the current state of total vacancy and legal threats among leadership marks a significant step backward.
The upcoming council meeting agenda includes several items in executive session, including personnel matters and a potential contract settlement for the town manager, suggesting that further administrative shifts may be on the horizon.
