News Summary
The Gold Cap Ambassadors in Myrtle Beach are intensifying their safety and cleanliness initiatives amid rising concerns on Ocean Boulevard. Launched in 2020, the program provides an extra layer of security, supplementing police presence as ambassadors monitor the area and engage with the community. With recent violent incidents prompting action, the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance plans to expand the ambassador program, allocating significant funds to enhance safety and cleanliness. Ambassadors actively contribute to a safer environment while supporting residents and visitors alike.
Myrtle Beach – The Gold Cap Ambassadors in Myrtle Beach are stepping up their efforts in response to growing concerns about safety and cleanliness along Ocean Boulevard, particularly between 9th and 16th Avenues. This taxpayer-funded initiative, overseen by the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance, has a clear goal: to maintain a clean environment while providing a sense of security for residents and visitors alike.
The Gold Cap Ambassadors program, launched in 2020, is designed as an additional layer of safety, supplementing existing law enforcement presence in the area. Ambassadors are easily recognizable in their yellow polo shirts, equipped with plastic buckets and trash pickers, which they use to collect litter such as food wrappers, napkins, and cigarette butts. A yellow golf cart aids in transporting the collected trash, which helps keep the beach area orderly and appealing.
In light of a recent increase in violent incidents along Ocean Boulevard, the role of these ambassadors has become even more critical. Last Friday evening, there was a noticeable absence of uniformed Myrtle Beach Police Department officers in the vicinity, raising alarms for residents and business owners. While an unmarked police vehicle was sighted briefly, many citizens observed the four ambassadors on duty, two of whom were still in training. They provide assistance and engage with the community, offering support to those in need, including the homeless population.
The Gold Cap Ambassadors function as an “extra set of eyes and ears” for law enforcement, intended to monitor activities and report emergencies via radios that contact their headquarters. Officers will then respond as necessary. Despite their help in bolstering public safety, it’s vital to note that these ambassadors are not a replacement for traditional police services.
As safety concerns have escalated due to recent shootings and rising crime during the busy summer season, the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance has proposed expanding the ambassador program. During a recent budget meeting, plans for increasing the number of ambassadors by four in the upcoming fiscal year were revealed, aimed at enhancing both safety and cleanliness in the area further.
The financial commitment to this initiative is significant. In April alone, spending on the ambassador program reached $54,473.62, with a total of $534,101.09 allocated through April 2025 — making it the second-largest expenditure for the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance. Looking ahead, costs for the ambassador program are projected to rise by 34%, reaching nearly $877,564.99 with the addition of new staff members. For fiscal year 2026, the total budget for the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance is projected at $2,386,128.84.
The proposed expansion of the Gold Cap Ambassadors was already planned before a fatal shooting incident occurred in April. This indicates that the safety enhancements were not solely a reaction to recent events, but rather a thoughtful adjustment to ongoing concerns regarding public safety and cleanliness in Myrtle Beach.
During each shift, which typically spans from 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, ambassadors cover roughly eight miles and interact with the public in various capacities. It is important to highlight that many crimes tend to happen after 10 p.m., which means further scrutiny of the late-night environment in the summer months is needed. With more ambassadors on duty, the alliance hopes to foster a friendlier, safer atmosphere for all who visit and reside in Myrtle Beach.
Ultimately, the Gold Cap Ambassadors serve an essential role in enhancing the community’s perception of safety while striving to keep the downtown area clean and welcoming for tourists and locals alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Myrtle Beach Shooting Update: Terrell Moore Charged
Myrtle Beach Faces Rising Public Safety Issues Amid Increasing Teen Gun Violence
Flamethrower Attack Shatters Boulder Jewish Gathering
Golf Cart Safety Enhancements in South Carolina
Significant Wildfire Engulfs South Carolina’s Carolina Forest
Wildfires Rage in South Carolina, Prompting Emergency Measures
Myrtle Beach Police Investigate Shooting on South Ocean Boulevard
North Myrtle Beach Woman Files Lawsuit After Banana Boat Injury
Myrtle Beach Resident Files Lawsuit After Home Invasion
Federal Trial Set for Aviation Company in Wrongful Death Case
Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach
- Post and Courier
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance
- ABC News 4
- Google Scholar: Myrtle Beach public safety
- Island Packet
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
