Why Myrtle Beach area police doubling as podcasters. Is it helping in transparency?
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Podcasts have become a popular way for content creators and even businesses to connect with the public. But in the Myrtle Beach area, another group has picked up the mic: police departments.
Officers in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach can be found online, speaking in front of a camera or microphone about such issues as public safety. The departments say their podcasting pursuits serve as a way to increase transparency and interaction with the public.
But is it working?
Police officials say their podcasts are reaching thousands and providing vital information.
“From the police department, our mission is on enhancing the quality of life of our community through community partnerships and public safety,” Myrtle Beach Police Lt. Allen Amick said in an email to The Sun News.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department has faced criticism in the past for a lack of information released regarding public safety, particularly when it comes to violent crimes, such as the deadly mass shooting that took place in the city’s crowded tourist district in April.
Amick said that the department’s main focus is on “visibility, community engagement and proactive enforcement” throughout the city.
The “Fridays on the Front” videos are not the department’s first foray into producing videos as a means of public outreach. After the April mass shooting on Ocean Boulevard, it took four days before police responded to questions about the shooting and nearly a month before Police Chief Amy Prock spoke out via a video boasting slick production quality.
More videos were produced after Prock’s video about the shooting, including videos alerting the public to the city’s new downtown youth curfew following several more violent crimes in the area involving young people. Shortly after, the “Fridays on the Front” series began.
Department spokesperson Randolph Angotti did not respond directly to questions about whether the series was started in response to recent violent crimes downtown, or the misinformation and complaints about transparency that followed.
Angotti referred The Sun News to a July 1 City Council workshop presentation where the department discussed “the importance of showcasing our teams.” The primary topic of the presentation was recruitment.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department launched its “Fridays on the Front” series in July, sharing a video to its Facebook page featuring an officer standing downtown, with the SkyWheel lighting up the night behind him.
The department has released two episodes so far, in July and August, both discussing city safety measures such as proactive policing and efforts to combat violent crime.
Both of the initial “Fridays on the Front” videos feature officers detailing specific cases they worked on, utilizing “shot spotter” technology to detect gunshots and city surveillance cameras to identify shooters and place them under arrest.
Most comments on the videos, which both received more than 8,000 views, thank the officers for their work. A few others express concern about other city issues and crime.
The department’s public information team creates the videos with shift team members, sharing information and showcasing their teams, Amick said.
“Our goal is not only to continue to keep our community informed of how our team serves our community and keeps our community safe, but also to keep our potential police employees informed about our team, different units, and what types of responsibilities they have,” he wrote.
Podcasts and information accessibility
In North Myrtle Beach, the “Beachside Briefings” podcast features Communications Director Lauren Jessie and Officer Pat Wilkinson speaking about city events, decisions and public safety.
The podcast launched in December 2023 in an effort to expand public communication and keep residents informed and engaged, Jessie said in an email to The Sun News.
“Podcasts allow us to take a conversational approach to topics that don’t always fit neatly into a press release or social media post,” she wrote.
The goal of the podcast, according to Jessie, is to make city information transparent and accessible. Each episode is about 30 minutes long, so it can fit into a commute, walk or other part of the day, Jessie said.
“For public safety, the podcast is especially valuable because it allows us to go deeper than a quick alert or notice,” Jessie said. “It gives our Police and Fire Departments the opportunity to explain preparedness tips, safety initiatives, and emergency response processes in a way that builds trust and understanding before a crisis ever happens.”
The podcast sometimes has special guests, but Jessie said that she and Wilkinson handle the planning, recording and editing of episodes.
The cost and the benefit
The equipment used to create Myrtle Beach’s “Fridays on the Front” videos are allotted through the department’s budget, according to Amick. The camera used to film the videos was purchased in 2023 for $568.
The department also recently purchased a DJI mic set to improve sound quality, for just over $300, according to Angotti. Other equipment was “updated or repurposed to keep costs low,” he added.
North Myrtle Beach’s “Beachside Briefings” episodes use a mixer, microphones and headphones purchased for roughly $350, according to Jessie. They also use a podcast hosting subscription that costs $50 per month.
Feedback on both podcasts has been positive, according to Angotti and Jessie.
In Myrtle Beach, Angotti said the videos shared to social media have been garnering thousands of views, comments and shares as they “connect with and educate the community.”
In North Myrtle Beach, residents have said they appreciate the “behind-the-scenes perspective” offered by “Beachside Briefings,” as well as getting to hear directly from city staff, Jessie said.
“We know from their feedback that we are reaching people, and the information is sticking,” Jessie said.
Jessie added that North Myrtle Beach hopes to begin producing episodes more consistently to expand their reach.
