There’s a lot of talk about Myrtle Beach. What does AI report as top discussions
Myrtle Beach has long been a vacation destination, where millions of tourists visit each year to take in the sun and sand along the coastal city’s beaches.
It’s also been recognized as a top place in the country to move to, as evidenced by the thousands of people who move to the city each year.
But not unlike other tourist-driven cities, Myrtle Beach has its issues and challenges for both officials and residents. One of the top concerns is crime and public safety.
The Sun News used AI to generate answers to such questions as how safe Myrtle Beach is and what are the top complaints by residents living in the South Carolina city.
Here’s what we found. All information was fact-checked by a reporter.
Is Myrtle Beach safe?
Myrtle Beach historically has had higher crime rates than the national average. City officials have reported that crime, particularly violent crime, has decreased. However, some offenses, including property crimes, such as theft and burglary, and drug-related crimes continue to be higher.
In 2022, Police Chief Amy Prock reported to city council that there was a 22% decrease in violent crime between 2017 and 2021 and a 29% decrease in property crime during that same five-year period.
A 2024 review of the city’s crime showed more than 133,000 calls for service – an increase from the previous year. Police did report a decrease in such calls for larceny, but an increase in shoplifting and fraud.
At the time, Prock said the city had installed more than 1,000 security cameras throughout the city, plus license plate readers. Since that time, the city has continued to add hundreds of security cameras in various areas.
The violent crime rate for Myrtle Beach in 2023 was about 49 per 1,000 residents, which is 2.4 times higher than the national average. (Source: FBI, Freedom for All Americans)
The major reasons for the increase in crime has been cited as the influx of tourists, a transient population and large-scale events.
Is Myrtle Beach a good place to live?
The city’s permanent population is a little more than 35,000, according to the U.S. Census, but that number swells to about 150,000 more during the tourist season.
Myrtle Beach offers affordable housing and has become a desirable place for retirees and those wanting a beach lifestyle. (Source: U.S. News, Redfin, Niche)
It is often named as one of the top places to live in the U.S. because of its low cost of living, attractions and amenities for tourists and residents.
However, the area’s economy is seasonal and dependent on tourism. Most jobs are hospitality-related and could be low wage or seasonal.
There are concerns about overcrowding, infrastructure and public safety.
Myrtle Beach is also located in a region that is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms. However, the city is known to have a great emergency management system. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
How much does Myrtle Beach spend on public safety?
The city allocates a large portion of its annual budget to police and public safety.
In 2024, the city allotted $44.5 million for the police department. That was an increase of nearly 10% from the year before, according to the city report.
Police reported a shortage in officers as a challenge in reducing crimes. Prock reported earlier this year that the department has a shortage of 50 officers.
The fire department had a $23.7 million budget for 2024.
What are top citizen complaints?
Based on city council meetings and police reports, residents have voiced concerns about property crimes, including theft and break-ins; drug activity; loitering; and recent violent incidents that have occurred in areas near the beach.
There are also complaints with noise and disturbances, speeding and traffic.
What do city officials say is top challenges for Myrtle Beach?
With recent violent crimes, city leaders have been challenged by social media posts and news about the incidents that have affected Myrtle Beach’s reputation.
City officials have been fighting the titles of “Murder Beach” and “Dirty Myrtle” that have often been used when describing the city.
Because Myrtle Beach has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., strains have been placed on resources, such as police and city services.
The police department reported that in addition to staffing, social issues and the reliance on law enforcement continues to increase. However, there is a lack of funding and resources to address it. (Source: City of Myrtle Beach 2025 report)
The fire department also reported that the increased population and increase in demands for service has “taxed the department” when it comes to emergency incidents, beach coverage and special events. That includes such large events as Myrtle Beach Bike Week and Carolina Country Music Festival, which are estimated to bring in between 200,000 to 400,000 visitors to the city and require extra police resources.
Candidates for Myrtle Beach mayor, including the current mayor, Brenda Bethune, have touched on the city’s challenges. Bethune has said that public safety is her top concern, including the need for “greater security presence, lighting, and surveillance in high traffic and high crime zones.”
Mayoral candidate Mark Kruea has said he wants to hire more police officers and reduce city spending, adding that the city’s budget has grown by 96% in less than 10 years.
Is Myrtle Beach a good place to visit?
Myrtle Beach is known as a popular vacation destination, offering beaches, a variety of attractions and affordable accommodations.
Of course, there are pros and cons to any visit.
The area offers something for everyone, including more than 60 miles of beaches along the Grand Strand.
However, during the peak season, which is usually from May through Labor Day, the city sees heavy crowds, busy roads and longer waits at restaurants and other attractions. Parking and traffic can be difficult.
Myrtle Beach also has a higher than national average of property crimes. And while recent violent crimes have occurred in the tourist part of the city, generally these incidents are rare in the more populated and well-trafficked tourist areas. (Source: Visit Myrtle Beach, TripAdvisor, U.S. News Travel)
AI , including ChatGPT, was used to compile research in this story. It was fact-checked by a reporter.
This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
