Hundreds of police officers planned for Bike Week, Black Bike Week. Here’s what to expect.

Visitors and residents can expect to see an increase of police presence starting Friday as law enforcement prepares for the two Bike Weeks that happen this month in the Myrtle Beach area.

Hundreds of officers will be in place for the start of this weekend’s 84th Annual Myrtle Beach Bike Week and again later this month for Black Bike Week.

Officials said they plan to increase the number of police slightly from last year, but an exact number was not available. During last year’s Black Bike Week, 600 officers were part of the 2022 operational plan.

Organizers say about 300,000 people usually attend the spring bike rally, which takes place May 12 through 21. The event, also known as the Spring Bike Rally or Harley Bike Week, has been held since 1940.

Black Bike Week, also known as the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest, will take place May 26 through 29. The event has been held since 1980 and brings around 350,000 people each year.

Horry County Police will set up a mobile command post near the events to ensure a quick response time, Horry County Police Cpt. Justin Wyatt said during a county public safety meeting Tuesday.

“We are up-staffing more than normal, by a slight increase based upon last year’s numbers of bike week participants, arrests stats, and calls for service,” he said.

An after action report for the 2022 spring rally was not immediately available, but Myrtle Beach emergency services released the after action report for Black Bike Week.

It shows a breakdown of traffic patterns, hospitalizations and how many police officers were involved from every local and state agency involved.

A look at the numbers from 2022 Black Bike Week

A Myrtle Beach after action report for Memorial Day weekend, when Black Bike Week takes place, shows that 600 officers were part of the 2022 operational plan. Several state and local agencies participated and volunteered last year.

That breakdown is below.

• 35 South Carolina Highway Patrol officers
• 59 from South Carolina Law Enforcement
• 43 from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

• 232 Myrtle Beach Police Department officers

• 54 from other various agencies

• 63 from probation, parole and pardon

The report shows that Grand Strand Health’s Emergency Operations Center was active from May 26 to May 28. The hospital saw a total of 332 patients per day over five days, with 19 motorcycle accidents, seven motor vehicle crashes, and two pedestrian accidents. There was also two reported assaults.

Taxis and ride-sharing companies like Uber did not provide service along Ocean Boulevard during Memorial Day weekend, according to the report.

This story was originally published May 11, 2023 at 8:45 AM.