Grand Strand police wrote no citations for violation of mask ordinances. Here’s why.
Despite ordinances going to effect requiring people to wear masks in many public settings, Myrtle Beach area police did not write any citations to violators over the past weekend.
An mask-requirement ordinance passed by the Myrtle Beach City Council took effect Friday. The ordinance required face coverings inside retail stores, restaurants, personal service businesses and other places. Violators faced a fine of up to $100. However, city officials admit enforcement will be difficult.
The Fourth of July holiday weekend was the first weekend where the law designed to slow the spread of coronavirus was in place.
Myrtle Beach police say they did not write any citations during the past week, but received 50 calls from people with questions about the new law.
If someone is spotted not wearing a mask, Myrtle Beach police say the enforcement can include a citation, but also education. The city plans to update its compliance checks throughout the week to keep the community informed on the ordinance.
Like Myrtle Beach, Horry County Council passed a similar law ahead of the Fourth of July. The county’s ordinance required masks in retail, restaurants and other shops.
Horry County deputies did not write any citations over the weekend for people not wearing masks, spokeswoman Kelly Moore said. She said officers are still looking for voluntary compliance, much like they did with the social distancing rules that were in place earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were two calls to 911 from people to alert police about others not wearing masks, Moore said.
North Myrtle Beach was the first Grand Strand municipality to pass a law requiring masks. But, like other agencies has yet to give out a citation.
“We are educating, working to help people get proper signage up, answering questions from businesses, and otherwise laying the groundwork for as much success as possible,” spokesman Pat Dowling said.
