MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)- The City of Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Police Department are in the early discussions to add surveillance cameras to business parking lots.
It would include major retail areas like The Market Common, Broadway at the Beach, Coastal Grand Mall and possibly banks and other businesses.
“We’re beginning to think about a draft ordinance. It’s not gone to City Council at this point but we could require a property owner who has a parking lot to install security cameras and connect them to our systems,” City Spokesperson Mark Kruea said.
In the last year, city leaders have installed more than 800 cameras at intersections around the city. That project cost $2.1 million dollars and MBPD officers say it has helped them solve more crimes. Because of that success, they want to work with businesses would to expand on those efforts.
“They give us access to their camera system. We would be able to view in real-time what was happening at that location so that way we could give the officers information in real-time as they respond to the scene.” Lt. Joey Crosby said.
The idea is to increase security at these places and not to invade anyone’s privacy.
“You’re giving us the access and allowing us to have access to your images. So it’s not something we’re going in and just taking as a government entity. We’re asking for that partnership with those businesses so that we can increase our response and better serve you,” Crosby added.
At this point the city is researching how feasible this is, how it would be paid for and what systems would be able to integrate with what the city currently has.
“We would be able to have more eyes and ears out there and potentially reduce crime. It seems a logical thing to do with the technology that’s out there,” Kruea added.
In a statement, The Market Common General Manager told News13:
We would welcome the opportunity to speak with the city about installing cameras throughout the Market Common property.
We will keep you updated on the progress of this ordinance.
