Myrtle Beach is becoming nationally known for its violent gun crime.
U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy reports that the Department of Justice is awarding $265,258 for the hiring of special prosecutors to try federal firearms cases originating in Myrtle Beach and Horry County.
The money will be used to support violent crime reduction efforts. Gun violence in the City of Myrtle Beach this month includes the recent shooting of five people on Canal Street an Oceanfront Hotel shooting and the killing of Myrtle Beach Police Officer Jacob Hancher. Two men died in the canal street shooting.
All of this violence occurred downtown in the month of Oct. 2020.
“These funds will be crucial to our efforts to target firearms-related crimes in Myrtle Beach and throughout Horry County, and will help us keep the people of South Carolina safe,” said McCoy. The grant will support the hiring of full-time local prosecutors.
These newly hired prosecutors will try firearms cases in federal court here in South Carolina.
“This is vital for this office,” McCoy said, “as we are a leading district in cases where defendants charged with firearms-related offenses receive sentences of at least five years or more.”
“We are pleased to support the outstanding work being undertaken through Operation Legend to reduce violent crime by focusing on cases involving illegal firearms,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to make these resources available to support the brave crime-fighters who work so hard to deter violence and keep our communities safe.”
The City of Myrtle Beach and Horry County can only benefit from this funding.
Local officials need to work to re-brand the city’s image. This has been a conundrum for Mayor Brenda Bethune and City Council for the past several years.
Myrtle Beach has been tagged as Murder Beach, Little Baltimore, and Little Chicago by tourists who visit the area.
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.