I’ve lived in Myrtle Beach for 16 years and lived about an hour away for the 23 years before that.
MB has definitely lost some of its appeal over the years. It's not nearly as wholesome as it was back in the 80’s, but I think the same can be said for most places. However, I’ve never heard/seen any mention of sex trafficking since I’ve been here and I’ve certainly never seen any discarded needles lying around
anywhere.
As you mentioned, the boulevard area really changed after Burroughs and Chapin tore down the MB Pavilion. There just aren’t many family attractions in that particular area anymore, other than a few beachwear shops or beach/water related activities.
A majority of the criminal activity that occurs on the boulevard is gang related and the perpetrators often don’t even live here. Many are residents of Greenville, Chesterfield, Summerville, or Robeson County. The city continues to hire more police officers and have amassed a network of nearly 1,000 cameras and plate readers. Unfortunately, it’s extremely hard to prevent violence that is perpetrated by offenders who aren’t known to law enforcement and when the original disputes originate elsewhere.
The following are just a few examples —
May 2020
MBPD identifies rival gang members involved in Ocean Blvd. shooting; 2 still wanted
According to information from the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the
members had an ongoing issue in their home community, traveled to Myrtle Beach, and “continued their conflict with reckless acts in our community.”
Myrtle Beach police announced late Monday that they arrested Anthony Griffin, 17, of Pageland, Quandre Tyson, 20, of Pageland. Both are charged with seven counts of attempted murder.
Police also announced that Dewon Cole, 18, of Kershaw, who they said is active duty in the U.S. Navy, was also arrested in connection to the shooting. They said he is in custody in Norfolk, Virginia and is awaiting extradition to South Carolina.
Six Lumberton men face charges in shooting at Myrtle Beach | Robesonian
Six Lumberton men charged in the Sunday shooting on Ocean Boulevard that left four people injured were in court Tuesday.
The Memorial Day shooting is the second of three shootings to take place in the area within a week.
Greenwood resident Kemian Masonte’ Reese, 22, is charged with murder, unlawful carry and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in relation to the Monday shooting of Cadric Elmore Jr. at 15th Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard, according to WMBF News.
“
For the 3rd time in one week our community has been violated by gang violence from outside of our borders. They brought their rivalries and disputes to MB to fight and that is not acceptable,” a Monday statement by Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune reads.”
June 2017
Myrtle Beach shooting that injured 7 in June tied to gang feud
A June shooting in Myrtle Beach that left seven people injured
stemmed from a turf war between gang members in Montgomery County, North Carolina.