MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Myrtle Beach city council members are looking at new ways to make downtown safer and better looking.
During the council meeting Jan. 23, members discussed cracking down on code enforcement issues. The city hired two new enforcement officers to help do that. Last year, council approved the new positions, and now those officers are on the ground. But unlike other officers, the new ones will work evenings and on the weekend instead of a traditional work day.
At the Jan. 9 council meeting, members discussed this work schedule for only peak season, but during the follow-up council meeting, members noted this should be a year-round effort. The officers will work to clean up or reduce visible clutter and also more actively monitor properties that are in violation.
Right now, code enforcement is primarily complaint driven. This new initiative will take a more proactive approach to help cut down on crime.
Violations can include overgrown weeds, graffiti, an accumulation of trash or debris, abandoned appliances, poorly-maintained buildings, obsolete or illegal signs, outside merchandise displays and other property maintenance issues.
The city says there will be an initial 30-day period, which launched at the end of January, where the officers issue courtesy violations. Beyond the grace period, the officers will enact strict enforcement of the city codes. If the issue goes unresolved, the city can suspend the business license or file a lien on the property to recover costs.
“The place looks nice, the properties are well kept, then you will send the message that this is a great place to be, there are things happening here,” said city spokesperson Mark Kruea. “And that should give the folks who have bad intentions the idea that this is not the place to go commit those bad intentions.”
Officials say Ocean Boulevard and the area between Kings Highway and the beach are the city’s “front door,” and the code enforcement officers need to ensure those specific areas are clean and safe.
More city surveillance cameras and dumpsters will also be added under the plan. If violations are found, property owners have two options: fix the problem within 15 days and attend a hearing, or they can pay to have the city fix it for them.
