Time to Stop Routine Patrol of Beaches
by Full Size Vehicles
By Dennis Mitchell
Last week’s tragedy in which a Horry County Beach Safety truck struck and killed a local beachgoer has prompted state representative William Bailey to call for restrictions on full size public safety vehicles patrolling on local beaches in non-emergency situations. Bailey said he plans to pre-file such a bill before the next legislative session begins in January 2025. Bailey’s proposed bill makes so much sense, people must wonder why it has not been proposed until now.
With the severely crowded beaches which are experienced on the Grand Strand during the summer tourist season, vehicles such as ATV’s should be the common patrol type vehicle. These provide excellent range of vision, quick maneuverability and considerably smaller room to operate than full size trucks. In the event of emergency situations, officers on these types of vehicles could clear an area for operation if full size vehicles are needed to answer the emergency.
There is one reason I can think of in which full-size vehicles would be preferable to ATV’s. Full-size vehicles have air conditioning which would make patrolling summer beaches more pleasant than on ATV’s. However, that is not reason enough to risk the lives of beachgoers. Frankly, I would hate to think that was the reason a full-size vehicle was being used by the officer patrolling last week.
It is almost inevitable that a lawsuit will be filed against the county in the wake of last week’s tragedy. It is also probable that county taxpayers will be on the hook to pay off any damages awarded.
As has been heard on the news and in Bailey’s statement about his bill, this is not the first time a full-size has been involved in an incident with a beachgoer on local beaches. It should be the last.