MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The City of Myrtle Beach hired two new code enforcement officers for the downtown area.
Now that they’ve been on the street for nearly a month, the city says the officers’ duties will benefit the local economy and what is next. Director of Construction Services, Chris Lee, said having these code enforcement officers maintains the clean, safe look of the city. He said when people come here and feel like they’re in a nice environment, they’re more likely to spend money that goes back into the local economy.
“We’re a tourist based economy,” said Lee. “We don’t have manufacturing, and we don’t have industry, so keeping the tourist happy is the number one goal.”
But, he said it’s not just about the tourist.
“Keeping the tourist happy means they’re spending money at the local establishments, keeping the local business community happy.”
Lee said having these officers keeping the city up to par means people in Myrtle Beach keep their jobs because the economy will continue to do well. Even though the code enforcement officers have only been on the street for one month, Lee said he already has requests in for two more code enforcement officers for this coming fiscal year. He said the eventual goal is to have more officers patrolling all parts of the city, and not just the downtown district.
Lee said they have also been able to deter crime from the downtown area by having officers issue violations such as having weeds that are too tall or graffiti written on buildings.
“If you have an abandoned structure, it doesn’t take long for word to spread that this building is no longer occupied,” said Lee. “It’s a place that gets broken into and used for drug dealing, drug use and prostitution.”
Right now, the code enforcement officers are only giving out courtesy violations, but the city plans to host a meet-and-greet with business owners and code enforcement officers on Feb. 6. at Ground Zero.
From there, they’re expecting to begin giving out penalties.
“I know we’re going to come across as heavy-handed at first, but we all have the same goal in mind to keep Myrtle Beach safe, clean, and inviting,” said Lee.
