MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Oasis Motel Owner Shai David told city council Tuesday, he appreciates all of the extra officers for Bike Fest but wants to see more police year round.
The Oasis Motel is located between Chester Street and Flagg Street, an area known to have a high crime rate. David said he purchased the property a few years ago and has experienced numerous break-ins ever since.
“It feels more like a war zone than a beach area,” he said.
David recalled a trip to Las Vegas with his wife and watching a man stealing flat screen TV on the motel’s security footage. He said his insurance often doesn’t cover the cost of replacing stolen items.
“For about three months, I couldn’t even find anybody who would insure us,” David stated.
In an effort to clean up the area, David purchased two additional hotels across the street. He spent almost $200,000 renovating the Sea Palm Motel and less than 24 hours later, someone stole two TV’s and multiple microwaves.
“We’re doing everything in our power to make it inviting and nice and lit up and you feel like you’re fighting a lost cause,” he said.
David said he calls the police at least once a day and while they respond quickly, he feels the city is taking no preventative measures.
“You feel neglected, you feel left behind.”
City Manager John Pedersen said he doesn’t feel the city has neglected the area. They’re in the process of re-developing the south mixed-use area as a whole, according to Pedersen.
He’s also looking at plans to build police sub-station in the area. He doesn’t know its exact location, but said it will likely be on one of the side streets that connect to Ocean Boulevard. Pedersen said the project will be funded through the $10 million loan pool the city acquired for re-development.
David is skeptical about the whole idea.
“It took me months, to try to get two trash cans on this street, he said.
Pedersen admits it has taken the city awhile to come up with a vision for the area, but he said it’s finally coming to fruition.
