Why is Bikefest still allowed in Myrtle Beach?
“Take this city back or get out - all of you!”
Such were the statements coming from the residents voicing their anger over recent shootings. How reminiscent is this from meetings held in 2008 when these comments were aimed at getting rid of the Harley Bike rallies?
The complaints mostly dealt with noise and traffic problems. But there was a lot of revenue generated over this 10-day-period, and there were no riots or shootings, and there was never the need for the “loop” that is put in place during the Memorial Day Bikefest. In fact, that event was not even included in the “Take Back Myrtle Beach” campaign in 2008.
It has been allowed to continue, and since that time there have been multiple shootings, which included the three fatal ones in 2014 on the boulevard. Why have we not stopped Bikefest? It would seem only fair.
We wake each day to see how many shootings there were while we were sleeping. Myrtle Beach does need “cleaning up,” and more law enforcement presence would be a positive move.
Myrtle Beach is my home, and I love living here. But I do not want to lose our main commodity - tourism. It is sad to read that people have become reluctant to go out at night due to the recent happenings.
Lynne Black, Myrtle Beach
This story was originally published July 16, 2017 at 10:24 AM with the headline "Why is Bikefest still allowed in Myrtle Beach?."