MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Horry County Public Safety Committee created a new subcommittee tasked with addressing crime and reducing violence in the area.
Community activist Bennie Swans say it’s something he’s pushed for a while and is happy to see law enforcement and the community work towards the same goal.
“It has always been my prayer that we come together as a county looking at all elements of crime,” Swans said.
The subcommittee met for the first time Thursday night for a brainstorming session. At that time the group established a mission statement and began work on crime surveys. The committee says it will reach out to area churches and volunteers to fill the surveys out as they work to address recent crime.
Swans says recent incidents like the break-ins at Pine Lakes and the shooting death of Francis “Mae” Davis show why this subcommittee is necessary.
“We don’t have enough information on it, but we know that one, she died; two, violence caused it, and three, it was involving gun shots. Horrible situation, when I think of the store owner in Conway shot down in a robbery it hurts my heart,” expresses Swans.
The committee will work on intervention and prevention as ways to address crime. Once they have the results from the neighborhood crime surveys, they will work on an enforcement plan.
“If we do those things there is no failure and there’s nothing but positive gain for all the citizens of Horry County,” Swans said.
The next meeting is April 12.