What to know about police presence over Labor Day weekend in Myrtle Beach area
As Labor Day weekend approaches, visitors are making their way to the Myrtle Beach area, which could result in increased traffic and crime.
In Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, police departments are preparing to manage the potential impacts of holiday crowds. In some areas, this will mean an increased police presence and level of traffic enforcement, as well as more proactive patrolling.
While recent high-profile shootings in the area — such as the deadly downtown shooting at the Peaches Corner restaurant in Myrtle Beach in June — have put officers on high alert, the more common crimes that see increases with holiday crowds are theft and alcohol-related offenses, according to spokespeople from both police departments.
In North Myrtle Beach, more “crimes of opportunity” such as thefts are typically experienced with holiday crowds, according to Officer Patrick Wilkinson. Outside of thefts, the other primary crimes that increase are public intoxication and driving under the influence crimes.
“It’s more so the fact that the population in the city increases during holidays,” Wilkinson said in an email.
The potential for increases in these types of crime over the long weekend is not prompting an increased police presence in North Myrtle Beach, Wilkinson said. Still, officers will be encouraged to engage in proactive policing and be visible to the public.
In Myrtle Beach, the primary symptoms of increased visitation during holidays are increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as well as certain kinds of crime, according to spokesperson Randolph Angotti. Like Wilkinson, Angotti attributes these factors simply to the temporary increase in population.
Myrtle Beach will see an increased police presence in areas popular with visitors, Angotti said. There will also be increased traffic enforcement and patrols.
“We continue to focus on proactive policing, traffic safety, and public education to reduce risks and ensure everyone enjoys a safe holiday weekend,” Angotti said in an email. “Public safety is a shared responsibility.”
Angotti also recommended that residents and visitors remove valuables from their cars when they are not in use, and remember to lock their doors to avoid theft. He also recommended allowing extra time for travel due to increased traffic, and encouraged drivers to watch out for motorcycles and remember that the new state hands free driving law will go into effect on Sept. 1.
Under the new hands free law, drivers’ hands need to remain off of their phones, even at red lights.
