Is Myrtle Beach more dangerous than the Jersey Shore? What data shows
Over the weekend, there was a fatal shooting in Myrtle Beach that left 11 people injured. As of Tuesday morning, three Myrtle Beach Police Department officers were placed on paid leave.
In recent years, there have also been fatal shootings, and reports of gunfire in communities along the New Jersey coastline, better known as the Jersey Shore.
Last month, a fatal shooting killed one after a dispute between neighbors in Ocean County, N.J., CBS News reported.
Prior to Saturday’s shooting, the City of Myrtle Beach refuted the claim that they are one of the nation’s most dangerous beaches. Previously, the law firm White Law also named Myrtle Beach one of the country’s most dangerous beaches. However, these studies are primarily based on data that focuses on shark attacks and ocean drownings, and not gun violence.
The Jersey Shore is approximately 140 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Crime rates on the shore depend on specific communities, according to data from home safety and security company SafeWise.
Messages for the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce and the City of Asbury Park were left on Tuesday.
According to data, Asbury Park has 10.98 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents. In comparison, the state of New Jersey has 2.21 violent crimes per every 1,000 residents.
In Myrtle Beach, the crime rates are slightly lower, at 10.03 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents, the same data showed. South Carolina has a higher crime rate compared to New Jersey, with 4.71 violent incidents reported for every 1,000 residents.
Estimates show that approximately 48 million people visit the shore during the summer months. Myrtle Beach welcomes approximately 17 million visitors annually, according to Visit Myrtle Beach.
