ATLANTIC BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson recently filed a complaint to begin nuisance action against Dean Marble and various other buisnesses that operate Ocean Apartments in Atlantic Beach, in hopes of shutting it down.
Atlantic Beach locals say the complex causes trouble for the whole area, and most say the town would be better off without it.
“There’s a lot of drugs, very violent acts, shootings, prostitution, drugs. You name it, it’s over there,” an Atlantic Beach resident, who did not want their name or face shown for safety reasons, said.
The person says they’re worried about their safety because of the apartment complex, especially at night.
“Straight shots when people are shooting at each other. Just overall, you don’t know who’s in the area or why,” the person said.
Atlantic Beach police responded to more than 120 calls for service to the building in the last three years, which they say is unusual for a small town.
Residents say they’re glad someone is stepping in to fix the problem.
“If that’s what it’s taking for us to be a little more not noticible in a negative way, I think that’s what we need to do. We need to make all effort to use expertise available to us to address all issues,” John Sketers, an Atlantic Beach resident, said.
The Horry County Solicitor’s Office says they decided to take action against Ocean Apartments after numerous complaints from both the town’s police department and residents.
According to Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, a nuisance complaint can be filed if the business meets one of the three categories:
1. There is rampant drug use and/or drug sales at the buisness
2. Lewd or salacious acts; prostitution is occurring at the business
3. Police are called to the business often, to the point of taking away from resources that are needed elsewhere.
