Myrtle Beach cops detail plan to keep Ocean Boulevard safe the weekend after 2 shootings
Street blowing at midnight, police officers and barricades are some of the tools Myrtle Beach officials plan to use this weekend in the aftermath of three shootings on the area’s most popular stretch.
Late Friday, Myrtle Beach police released its “safety plan for Ocean Boulevard” for the upcoming weekend. Last weekend there were two shootings on Ocean Boulevard, including one that was fatal. On May 17, there was a shooting near 12th Avenue North that police said involved rival gangs firing at each other.
The police plan is broken into several areas, with the first being staffing:
- 80 officers will be used throughout the weekend and deployed in several areas. They will be put in areas to focus on hot-spots and tiered responses.
The city is also using a traffic congestion management plan:
- The city could use a traffic plant that includes, basically, closing Ocean Boulevard between 16th Avenue North and 3rd Avenue South. The city will alert people about the plan through message boards along the roads and social media pages.
Police are also talking about the ongoing efforts to ban gangs:
- That includes working with other agencies and the department’s crime analyst, intelligence unit to share information. The efforts will provide real-time information to officers on the street.
Barricades are also part of the city’s plan:
- Pedestrian barricades will remain in place from 15th Avenue North to 3rd Avenue South until July 13. There will be a weekly determination if they need to be removed.
- City street sweepers will start on Friday and Saturday at midnight between 21st Avenue North to 6th Avenue South.
- Sidewalk blowing will start on Friday and Saturday at midnight between 21st Avenue North to 6th Avenue South.
Previous shootings
On May 25,Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, police responded to a reported shooting around 12:45 a.m. Monday near the Landmark Resort on Ocean Boulevard. The hotel is near 15th Avenue South.
The Horry County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Cadric Elmore Jr., of Greenwood, and classified his death as a homicide. A 22-year-old man was charged with murder in connection to that shooting.
On May 24, around 12:30 a.m., police responded to Ocean Boulevard and 12th Avenue North for a reported shooting. The incident happened near Free Fall Park.
Four people were shot in the incident and all are expected to recover. Senior Assistant Solicitor Josh Holford said an altercation might have happened before the shooting. Two bystanders, including an event staff member, were shot. Police charged six people in connection that that shooting.
On May 17, officers went to Ocean Boulevard and 11th Avenue North for a shooting that left several injured.
Investigators say during that two rival gangs from Chesterfield County brought their dispute to Myrtle Beach and shot at each other across Ocean Boulevard.
The gang-related shooting and other actions led to lengthy discussions between police and city leaders and administrators vowing a larger police presence in downtown Myrtle Beach this weekend. Police charged eight people in connection that shooting.
This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 5:36 PM.
