The City of Southport

Police Department

Mission Statement

The mission of the Southport Police Department is to safeguard the lives and property as well as protect the innocent from becoming victims of crime while always respecting the people’s constitutional rights.  We preform partnerships with communities to improve the quality of life for all citizens who visit or call Southport home.  We value the public’s trust in our agency as we work to exhibit sound judgement and open communication.  We have placed strong emphasis on Leadership, management and problem-solving partnerships with our citizens through community policing.

CHIEF’S MESSAGE

I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the City of Southport.  We are a full-service Police Department capable of handling the needs of both our permanent residents and many visitors.   We are innovative and responsive to the needs of those we serve and work in partnership with our communities.

The Southport Police Department is proud to serve and is constantly searching to find new ways to enhance our community policing efforts.  We encourage our citizenry to share ideas with us.  We feel working together, we can make a difference and help maintain a high quality of life for our residence and visitors.  We can accomplish this through community efforts, integrity and professionalism.

Very Respectfully,

Chief Todd Coring

Contact Us

Report a crime. Leave an anonymous tip. Request emergency assistance.

Call 911 or Call Southport Police

Todd Coring, Police Chief
Tel: (910) 457-7913  |  Email

Southport Police Department

City Hall
1029 N. Howe Street
Southport, NC 28461

Front Desk / Records Office Hours
Monday – Saturday 8:30-5pm
Closed on Holidays

(910) 457-7911 (Non-Emergency)
(910) 457-0302 fax

Submit a Tip

If you have any information regarding any crime that has occurred in the City of Southport please let us know. Reporting crime keeps Southport safer for you and all citizens. Please fill out the form using the button below, then click the “Submit” button. You can choose to remain completely anonymous by leaving the reporting person’s information blank. Or, if you would like us to contact you, please complete the reporting person’s information section. Within the limits of the law, all information will be kept confidential.

Click here to submit a Tip Online

Tips submitted on the weekend will be reviewed on Monday morning. Tips submitted during the week but after normal business hours will be reviewed the following morning.

The quickest way to report even the smallest infraction of the law is to call 9-1-1. You will NOT get in trouble. All officers are dispatched through 9-1-1 NOT through the Southport Police Dept. The Southport Police Department phone is ONLY capable of handling non-emergency calls.

When should you use 9-1-1?

Nine-one-one (9-1-1) is only to be used in emergency situations. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police/sheriff, the fire department or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It’s better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

Do not call 9-1-1

  • for information
  • for directory assistance
  • when you’re bored and just want to talk
  • for paying traffic tickets
  • for your pet
  • as a prank

If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Tell the call taker what happened so they know there really isn’t an emergency.

For more information about using the 911 emergency call system please click here.

Need to Register Your Golf Cart?

It’s simple! Simply print the Registration Form below, fill it out, and call our office at 910-457-7911 to schedule an appointment for inspection. We’ll also have blank forms available if you are unable to complete one in advance.

We’ll inspect your cart at:

Southport City Hall
1029 N. Howe St., Southport, NC 28461

Remember – the annual golf cart registration deadline is June 30th. Make sure that you’re current!

If you have any questions, please call 910-457-7911.

Link to Golf Cart Registration Form

Golf Cart Sticker

To Protect and Serve

Southport Police Department

We intend to fulfill the challenging responsibilities through active participation in the following shared values:

Integrity – Integrity is the heart of all we do and key to maintaining the trust of our citizens, community and partners.  We stand truthful and honest with those we serve.  We demonstrate positive behavior and observe the highest moral and ethical principles.

Professionalism – The Police Department strives to be selfless in our devotion to duty.  We will carry out our mission with discipline and self-control, professionalism and respect for others.  Our conduct and demeanor display the highest standard of personal and organizational excellence.

Service – We are dedicated to enhancing public safety and reducing the fear and the incidence of crime.  People in our communities are the most important customers.  Our motto “To Protect and Serve” is not just a slogan, it’s our guide.  In partnership with those in our communities we will do our best, within the law, to solve community problems that affect public safety.  We value the great diversity of people in both our residential and business communities and serve with equal dedication.

Department Services

Help For Our Citizens

The Southport Police Department has several programs focusing on community issues such as child welfare, we care, house check, safe driving in school zones and neighborhoods, and drug use. The department also works closely with community advisory councils within the community to strengthen the relationship between members of the community and police. For more information about these services please call (910) 457-7911.

“We Care” Calling Program

 What is the “We Care” Calling Program

The “We Care” calling program is a FREE telephone reassurance service offered by the Southport Police Department.  This program is designed to enhance the quality of life for older adults, adults with disabilities, or those who live alone or who are at risk of sudden illness, falls, accidents, and/or social isolation.

Through this program, the Southport Police Department places a daily call to each person enrolled at a specified time. If no response is received, an Officer is dispatched to the residence to ensure the person’s safety.

How the Program Works

Staff with the Southport Police Department will call subscribers at their pre-determined time each day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If the subscriber is okay, we will record that information on our daily log.

If the subscriber does not answer the phone, a second call will be placed.  If no response to the second call an Officer will be dispatched to make contact with the subscriber.  If needed the provided key holder will be called by the Officer to respond to assist checking on the subscriber.  Together they will take the necessary steps to make personal contact with the subscriber to assure they are OK.

If the subscriber is not going to be home at the time of the call (out of town, doctor’s appointments, etc.), they will be asked to call our Office to leave a message indicating they will not be home.

It is important to note that our “We Care” calling program is not intended to take the place of Lifeline, Life phone, or any other service that one might currently be utilized. In fact, we urge people to use those services in addition to our “We Care” calling program.

Program Application Services

Anyone interested in signing up for our “We Care” calling program is asked to fill out a short form which includes personal, medical and other information which Officers may need in the event of an emergency. It is also required that subscribers provide at least two contacts (a relative or neighbor) that possess keys to their residence in the event Officers need to enter the residence to check on the subscriber.

All information will be kept confidential and secure at the Southport Police Department. A waiver of liability is also required to be completed and signed.

For more information on our “We Care” calling program you can call our Office, 910-457-7911 and ask or go to our webpage, cityofsouthport.com under Police Department and print the application.  Once complete drop it by our Office for processing.   Applicants will get a follow up call from our Office confirming their application, screening and acceptance information.

Click for an Application

Car Seat Installation Program

Southport Police Department became a permanent Car Safety Passenger Seat Permanent Checking Station in 2011. The program is designed so that parents and caregivers can transport their families safely. Parents and caregivers are provided information that allows them to use their restraints correctly along with a hands on service to make sure child restraints are installed and used correctly.

Here are some links to resource sites that can provide useful information regarding child passenger seats.

Buckle Up NC     |    Safe Kids

Citizens with Special Needs

Click for an Application

House Check Program

The House Check program sends an officer to your home to verify all is in good standing while you are out of town.
Click for an Application

Police Issued Permits

City of Southport

Permits for the following activities are arranged by the Southport Police Department.

Permits are only valid with a confirmation.  Please allow a minimum of three working days for permit to be processed.

Please register and inspect golf carts at the Southport Police Department, 1029 N. Howe Street.

Fireworks in Southport

Laws and Guidelines for Safe Fireworks Use

There are 3 basic forms of fireworks:

  1. Commercial–Display
  2. Dangerous
  3. Consumer

Commercial firework displays are typically used for display for large public audiences. They are maintained and monitored by licensed pyro-technicians and the Fire Department during the setup and launching process. A permit from the city is required to possess and discharge such pyrotechnics.

Dangerous fireworks are explosives such as M-80’s, firecrackers and even small firecrackers known as “Lady Fingers”. It is illegal to possess or discharge such fireworks anywhere in North Carolina.

Specifically prohibited fireworks are: Explosive or aerial fireworks, roman candles, and rockets or similar devices.

Consumer fireworks are permitted in some North Carolina counties, unincorporated areas and cities. In Southport, it is illegal to possess or discharge any fireworks even if they were legally purchased outside of the city. It is even illegal to possess those items on the beach under the same law.

Specifically permitted fireworks are: Sparklers, fountains, smoke devices, snake and glow worms, trick noisemakers, and toy pistol caps.

Additionally, the dangerous practice of shooting a gun into the air is illegal.

Please consider your fellow neighbors and remember these laws and warnings.

Useful Links

Please visit the links below for more information.

Victim Advocacy

Victim’s Rights
Domestic Violence
Hope Harbor

Child Safety Resources

Dare America

Internet Safety

Homeland Security

U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement Victim Notification