Volunteers learn more about expectations during Myrtle Beach community ambassador meeting

Local volunteers said their desire to put forth a positive image of Myrtle Beach during special events caused them to attend an informational meeting Wednesday to learn about becoming community ambassadors.

About 50 people interested in welcoming and informing visitors during special events held in Myrtle Beach learned more about what would be expected of them were they to decide to participate in the program.

“This is a very important part of our operational plan for Memorial Day weekend and beyond,” police Chief Warren Gall said.

Officials have spent months working on a plan for Memorial Day weekend, which turned deadly last year when three people died and seven were injured in eight shootings on Ocean Boulevard. Tens of thousands of people come to town that weekend for a three-day weekend at the beach or to participate in other events, including Atlantic Beach Bikefest.

Police spokesman Lt. Joey Crosby said “friendship teams” that walked the streets during the two bike weeks in May were successful and the city hoped to expand that success to other events during the year.

Many of the people at Wednesday’s meeting already volunteer for the city and saw the ambassador program as another way to give back – especially during Memorial Day weekend.

“You can’t say that you care and not get involved,” said Catherine Nelson, who said she lives just outside Myrtle Beach and also serves on the city’s Senior Advisory Committee. “This is a very positive thing in light of all of the negative things people say about Bikefest.”

Ambassadors during Memorial Day weekend will be expected to be extensions of the city’s motto for the weekend, being “firm, friendly and fair.”

Myrtle Beach resident, and former city police officer, Betty Lance hopes having friendly faces on Ocean Boulevard that weekend will help keep people at ease.

“I think if people see faces other than the police, they will become more relaxed,” she said. “How you approach people makes a difference. Even through their rudeness, you still have to have love and kindness when you approach people.”

“And that should happen daily,” Myrtle Beach resident Luddie McKnight added.

The ambassadors will work in pairs or teams, be easily identified – possibly wearing matching T-shirts – and tasked with sharing information about the event where they are volunteering.

Brenda Noel of Carolina Forest said she liked the idea of volunteering on Memorial Day weekend so she could help keep tabs on any bad behavior.

“What I got from this meeting is that they want eyes and hears to blend into the crowds and report anything we see that’s going on,” she said.

The volunteers tasks will depend on which event they choose to work.

For Memorial Day weekend, community ambassadors will be on Ocean Boulevard, passing out water and informational pamphlets, explaining information about a 23-mile traffic loop that will be in effect for about four hours at night, and assist with delivering food to officers who are working that weekend.

Those who don’t want to volunteer on Memorial Day weekend will be able to pick from any of several large events held throughout the year, such as the MyrtleBeach.com Myrtle Beach Marathon or St. Patrick’s Day festival on Ocean Boulevard.

Whichever event they choose to volunteer for, Gall stressed that the ambassadors should not bring weapons with them, even those with concealed weapons permits.

“There should not be any event or situation that we’re going to put anybody in that they would be in fear of their life,” he said. “If you’re a volunteer and you don’t feel comfortable with a certain event, let us know and we won’t assign you to that event.”

Mario Badagliacca said he thinks Memorial Day weekend is too large of an event for him to work. The retired Little River resident who also volunteers with the Myrtle Beach Fire Department said it was important for him to give back to the community, so he attended the meeting to learn more.

“I’m almost certain I’ll do something,” he said. “How much I do will depend on how much they require from me. I’ll fill out the application and go from there.”

Ambassadors were asked to fill out applications and will go through training prior to each event that calls for the volunteers. Those hoping to volunteer on Memorial Day weekend will go through training some time in April.

Crosby said the police department will work with those who want to volunteer but are unable to attend a training.

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 9:17 PM with the headline "Volunteers learn more about expectations during Myrtle Beach community ambassador meeting."