News Summary
The Myrtle Beach City Council has passed the first reading of a juvenile curfew ordinance, setting a new curfew for minors at 9 p.m. It covers the central business district and public parks, aimed at addressing the rising concerns over juvenile violence. The decision aligns with efforts to enhance safety for residents and local businesses, and a temporary curfew will be enacted soon, with a second reading planned for the end of July.
Myrtle Beach – The Myrtle Beach City Council has taken decisive action to address rising concerns over juvenile violence by passing the first reading of a juvenile curfew ordinance on Tuesday. This ordinance introduces a new curfew for minors that starts at 9 p.m., which is a reduction from the prior start time of 10 p.m.
The scope of the new curfew encompasses the city’s central business district. This district stretches from 6th Avenue South to 21st Avenue North and extends from Kings Highway to the ocean. In addition, the curfew applies to public parks and city-owned properties throughout Myrtle Beach, marking an effort to enhance safety in both commercial and recreational areas.
City officials contend that these measures are necessary in response to increased incidents of juvenile violence that have been reported in recent months. The Mayor has expressed that Myrtle Beach is facing challenges similar to other communities across the nation regarding heightened levels of violence among young people. This perception has led to growing safety concerns among local business owners, especially those operating along Ocean Boulevard.
As part of the ordinance’s implementation plan, an executive order for a temporary juvenile curfew will be enacted, effective from July 10 to July 13 and July 17 to July 20. This temporary measure will serve as a bridge until the ordinance is finalized. The council is working diligently toward making the curfew permanent, with a second reading of the ordinance slated for review at the end of July.
The curfew’s protected zone includes key public spaces such as the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and surrounding beaches, where minors will be restricted during curfew hours. Outside of this specific area, the standard curfew for minors remains unchanged, set between midnight and 6 a.m.
Exceptions to the curfew will be granted under specific circumstances laid out in the ordinance, allowing minors to conduct essential activities without facing penalties. However, if a minor is caught violating the curfew, their cases will be handled according to the South Carolina Juvenile Justice Code. Adults who do not comply with the ordinance may face fines or imprisonment for infractions.
The action by the Myrtle Beach City Council emerges against a backdrop of community concern regarding public safety and the behavior of minors in social settings. The decision to implement a curfew reflects a broader trend of municipalities responding to similar issues of youth-related violence across the country. By tightening curfew regulations, local officials aim to foster a safer environment for both residents and visitors in Myrtle Beach.
The council’s commitment to address juvenile behavior through this curfew represents a proactive stance in combating violence while seeking to support local businesses that have expressed ongoing safety concerns. The ordinance underscores the city’s prioritization of public safety in shared spaces critical for both recreation and tourism.
As Myrtle Beach continues to navigate the challenges associated with increased juvenile violence, the city is taking significant steps toward establishing a safer atmosphere for its community. The upcoming second reading will be critical in determining the permanence of the juvenile curfew ordinance and the city’s approach to youth safety going forward.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE News
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach juvenile curfew
- WMBF News
- Wikipedia: Juvenile curfew laws
- WBTV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Curfew
- ABC News 4
- Google News: juvenile curfew Myrtle Beach
- My Horry News
- WFXB News
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.
