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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach has implemented a temporary curfew change for those 17 years old and younger for the next six days in the wake of recent gun violence on Ocean Boulevard, the city said Tuesday.
City manager Fox Simons signed an executive order on Tuesday, imposing an expanded juvenile curfew in certain parts of the city from Wednesday, July 2, until Monday, July 7. Myrtle Beach city code declares the dates an “extraordinary event,” which authorizes the city manager to impose a curfew.
“The city of Myrtle Beach is working towards permanent juvenile curfew changes. We realize this will not be a ‘fix all’ solution to juvenile issues happening along Ocean Boulevard, but it is a step in the right direction,” the city said. “From July 2-7, the curfew for individuals under 18 will begin at 10 p.m. and continue until 6 a.m. the following day within the defined ‘protected zone,’ as well as all city parks, and other city facilities, both inside and outside the protected zone. During those hours, minors are not allowed in public places within the zone, all city parks and city facilities unless one of the exemptions below applies.”
Those exemptions include:
- Accompanied by the minor’s parent or guardian
- Involved in an emergency or errand necessitated by an emergency
- Engaged in an employment activity, or on the way to/from an employment activity, without any detour or stop as necessary to drop off or pick up a co-employee
- In motor vehicle engaged in interstate travel
- On the sidewalk abutting the minor’s home
- Attending a school, religious or governmental activity, which is supervised by adults, or traveling to and from such a school, religious or governmental activity without detour or stop
- Attending a recreational activity sponsored by the city of Myrtle Beach, a civic organization, or a similar entity which is supervised by adults, or traveling to or from such an activity without detour or stop
- Exercising rights protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Consititution
- Married, or otherwise legally emancipated by operation of law
The protected zone includes much of the Ocean Boulevard and downtown area, specifically from the Atlantic Ocean to Kings Highway, between 13th Avenue South and 21st Avenue North, the city said. It also includes a small extension west of Kings Highway to Broadway Street, between small extension west of Kings Highway to Broadway Street, between 7th and 9th Avenues North.
Outside of the protected zone, the city’s standard juvenile curfew of midnight to 6 a.m. remains in effect.
Ocean Boulevard has seen multiple instances of teen gun violence in the last couple months, starting with late April when 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville opened fire into a crowd before being shot and killed by an officer.
Then, late Friday, Evany McCray, a 17-year-old from Conway, allegedly shot and killed an 18-year-old at Peaches Corner on Ocean Boulevard.
Count on News13 for updates.