Folly officers get new uniforms

Folly Beach Public Safety officers are getting the blues. Blue uniforms, that is.

Folly Beach Public Safety Director Terry Boatwright said there was extra money in the department's uniform budget and thought it was time to switch from khaki polo shirts and dark green pants to an all-navy-blue uniform.

"I've never been comfortable with the forest ranger look," Boatwright said. "It did not seem appropriate for a municipal agency."

The officers also will don new badges, trading out the older sheriff's star to a police shield. The new uniforms come with a new patch sewn on the sleeve, with a lighthouse and a sand dollar on it.

"It's more traditional," Boatwright said.

About half of the 13 public safety officers and the victim's advocate and animal control officer already have made the switch to the new uniforms, Boatwright said. The other officers are being fitted for the new uniforms and should get them in the next few weeks.

The Class B cotton-polyester uniforms cost about $70 each for the pants and shirt. Boatwright said that when the new budget year begins July 1, he plans to outfit the officers with an additional Class A uniform to wear at official events.

Folly Beach victim's advocate Diane Rutledge already has her navy blue uniform, and said she likes how professional it looks.

The older uniforms had been used for about five years, she said. Before that, the officers wore all-khaki nylon uniforms that were hot and uncomfortable.

"Blue has always been the traditional color for police departments," Rutledge said. "The emblem is quite unique."

Boatwright said residents have responded well to the switch.

"We're getting a lot of positive feedback," he said. "We're hearing from the PSOs that residents think they look really nice."