Myrtle Beach top cop says businesses didn’t communicate, anticipate influx of visitors
Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock shifted blame to the business community for the large crowds, heavy traffic, and chaotic and near-fatal events that ensued on Ocean Boulevard as the city reopened to tourism this past weekend following a shutdown caused by the coronavirus.
During an emergency Myrtle Beach City Council meeting held via conference call Monday afternoon, Prock cited a lack of communication from the business community as the reason why the events took place and why her department wasn’t prepared for the influx of tourists.
“The information we originally received was inaccurate at best,” Prock said. “It was extremely disappointing to me and my staff that the communication between our business community was lacking with our department.”
She said communication is “key” to how her department effectively reacts and prepares for situations. The anticipation of this weekend was something that we didn’t see, Prock said.
Along with heavily congested roadways throughout the weekend, a shooting took place Sunday night on the 1100 block of North Ocean Boulevard near several attractions, including Ripley’s and the Skywheel. Law enforcement officials said several injuries were reported, but none were believed to be life-threatening.
Officers detained four people, identified Monday as rival gang members from Chesterfield County, in the shooting’s aftermath.
Earlier in the day, now viral video footage taken Sunday afternoon showed about 50 people in golf carts and mopeds halting traffic near 14th Avenue North between Riptydz and Beach House Bar & Grill, blasting music and dancing in the street for over five minutes.
There were about two dozen golf carts seen in the video and no police present to break up the scene.
“It is my hope that we count on these relationships to be successful,” Prock said. “Communication is a huge piece for us being successful. We work together as a team to make sure our community is safe.”
City Manager John Pedersen added the city’s occupancy rate was much higher than originally expected. He also advised visitors to call the police if they feel their safety is in jeopardy instead of taking to social media with several videos and posts going viral depicting the weekend’s events.
“There’s no getting around the fact that we had some very undesirable behavior this past weekend,” Pedersen said. “What we are seeing and what we’re starting to experience, not just here in Myrtle Beach but across the country, is the psychology of people who have spent the last 80 days inside, quarantined or social distancing, and they have the opportunity to get out and come to a place like Myrtle Beach.”
He said the city now has a better idea of how to handle the demand of tourism moving forward.
Councilwoman Jackie Hatley further condemned the community for the negative publicity the city is currently getting. She said the city doesn’t “deserve” it and visitors should give the city the “respect it deserves.”
As the city prepares for Memorial Day, officials are now considering putting measures in place to ensure the holiday weekend is a much safer atmosphere for both residents and tourists.
Heavy police presence and pedestrian barricades will be in place along Ocean Boulevard in the days leading up to and during Memorial Day weekend. Prock said the city will have over 100 state police officers and 20 assisting officials from local jurisdictions.
A modified emergency lane will be staged in the event of heavy traffic congestion and increased calls for services, she said. Restrictions will also be placed on parking lots.
Pedersen added traffic diversions could be in place to get vehicles off Ocean Boulevard, if needed. He said the city also has the authority to enforce a curfew that would require businesses to close and visitors to retreat to their hotels if circumstances require it.
Pedersen also asked council officials to support an executive order that would suspend all golf cart and moped operations for 72 hours during the upcoming weekend. Social distancing and hygiene recommendations are still advised to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Pedersen urged.
“What we’d like to request from our residents and guests is that you still be mindful that we’re still in this pandemic and continue social distancing,” Pedersen said. “Particularly for our residents, we anticipate that Ocean Boulevard is going to be extremely heavily traveled and we strongly suggest not traveling on Ocean Boulevard unless you need to.”
Mayor Brenda Bethune was not in attendance during the meeting, citing that her husband is currently in the intensive care unit.
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 2:44 PM.
