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A 9 p.m. curfew for minors in certain city limits of Myrtle Beach is in full effect as Myrtle Beach leaders passed the final reading of an ordinance Tuesday, July 22.

The curfew is an attempt by Myrtle Beach city leaders鈥� response to increasing juvenile violence along in the downtown area.

鈥淚鈥檓 truly a strong supporter of it and I have heard nothing but positives from members of the business community that have contacted me. This is not just Myrtle Beach that is doing this,鈥� Councilman Mike Lowder said, adding Kingstree is considering changes to its juvenile curfew as a result of violent crime. 鈥淚 think that says a lot about what鈥檚 going on in our state and in our country and, really, it鈥檚 sad.鈥�

The curfew identifies a Central Business District that is subjected to the 9 p.m. curfew. The district encompasses the area between the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and Kings Highway, between 6th Avenue South and 21st Avenue North. This includes the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and surrounding areas.

The ordinance states it is unlawful for those under 18 to remain in public places within the Central Business District between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. or to remain in a public place throughout the remainder of the city limits between 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. The 9 p.m. curfew also applies to city properties and parks outside of the Central Business District.

The curfew for minors cites an increase in juvenile criminal activity in the Central Business District since spring break that has continued into the summer season. According to the ordinance, 137 juvenile arrests occurred between March 15 and June 30 of this year and of those, 鈥�57 involved physical violence, drugs, and/or weapons.鈥�

The ordinance also comes after a Myrtle Beach officer shot and killed an 18-year-old who was shooting into a crowd along Ocean Boulevard in April. 11 people were injured in the shooting.

The city has declared the last two weekends 鈥渆xtraordinary events鈥� to give the city manager authority to implement the 9 p.m. curfew before the ordinance passed second reading. After two weekends with the curfew in effect Josh Bruegger, assistant city manager, said the feedback from business about weekend operations with the curfew in effect has been positive.

鈥淲e want it to be family friendly down there. We鈥檙e not saying that people under the age of 18 can鈥檛 come down there, but after nine o鈥檆lock they have to be with parents,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not adults only after nine o鈥檆lock.鈥�

糖心vlog官方入口

Myrtle Beach city leaders make way for curfew on minors in Central Business District

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Maria Cortado-Gonzalez, a local 17-year-old, addressed the council asking how police intended on enforcing the ordinance.

鈥淚 know I look more youthful in comparison to other people my age and I am not sure if they are going to have people stationed in certain areas to try to see if anyone looks like they are underage,鈥� Cortado-Gonzalez said to council, adding some people much younger than her look older.

Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy聽Prock said officers ask questions.

鈥淲e ask how old you are, we engage in conversation,鈥� Prock said, adding that education to ensure people are aware of the ordinance prior to enforcement is part of this challenging process. Officers are also within their right to ask for identification per the ordinance.

The ordinance states officers can enforce the curfew with investigations into ages, reasons for being out, proof of identification, contacting parent or guardian, or accompanying the apparent offender to their residence or temporary accommodation.

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Penalties of the ordinance for the juvenile are conducted in accordance with the South Carolina Juvenile Justice Code. Parents may be held responsible with a $500 fine or a maximum 30 days imprisonment.

The new curfew added the 鈥淢yrtle Beach Boardwalk, beach and beach accesses鈥� to the list of public places minors can no longer occupy after 9 p.m. or 12 a.m., depending on whether the coastal spot is within the Central Business District.

The first reading of an ordinance adjusting the language of arrest proceedings also was passed by council.

鈥淲ords matter, particularly in the legal world. With the way that it was written, there could be some legal problems or challenges with a person that resists, but is not actually under arrest but they are lawfully detained while an officer conducts an investigation. At that point if they resist, because of the way it was written, they had to be under arrest for it to apply,鈥� Bruegger said. 鈥淭his will make it more broad so that if somebody is lawfully detained, for example over the course of an investigation if they resist, with the new language, they can be arrested and charged with that.鈥�

After the meeting, Cortado-Gonzalez said in terms of younger individuals' experience on the boulevard, she said she does not think asking for identification will be exploited by our law enforcement for reasons beyond determining age, but it is something to consider.

Bruegger said the curfew is only the first step in the city鈥檚 efforts in addressing the issue of juvenile crime.

Mayor Brenda Bethune said there is an open dialogue with businesses in the area to explore other options to keep the atmosphere uplifted and safe in the area.

Council member Gregg Smith said it may be worthwhile to revisit the ordinance during the winter months when foot traffic in the area slows down.