The City of Myrtle Beach is adding extra life guard patrols to residential properties and the people who live there are worried what that will do their beach.
For the first time in years Myrtle Beach assigned a lifeguard to the beach access between 77th avenue and 82nd avenues north.
The area is primarily residential.
City Manager John Pedersen says there was no incident or tangible cause for the addition of extra lifeguards.
Residents say they are not happy with the possibility of commercializing their quiet part of the strand.
“I think if they’re here to protect the people and look out for danger that’s great, but if they’re here to rent umbrellas and take up the beach from locals I think no,” said Robert Floyd.
That may happen.
Lifeguard companies do not receive any money from the city and instead make all their money from chair and umbrella rentals.
Residents are also concerned about losing the ability to surf and kayak; something that was never allowed, but without lifeguards no one ever enforced the rules.
“We needed to do what we need to do to make sure that everyone is safe,” said Pedersen
He says the idea to add extra lifeguard security was discussed last year.
He says the only reason for the change is the safety of beach goers.
“These are not financial moves,” said Pedersen. “These are not the areas where we have a concentrated population, but we do have enough people at this point time where we feel like overtime additional lifeguard stands will be needed”,” he added.
Pedersen says Myrtle Beach Lifeguards, the company that will enforce the area, also agreed with the decision.
He says the company does not see it as a loss because safety is their number one concern and they manage to “break even”.
Pedersen says it is the city’s goal to eventually have guarded beaches along its entire stretch of the Grand Strand.
Several other people on the beach said they either did not notice the new lifeguard protection or it did not bother them.
Pedersen says the city plans to look over certain ordinances involving beach activities like surfing in regards to the change.
