Crime can happen anywhere, from the smallest towns to rural communities to bustling urban centers. Particularly in the shadows of the current opioid epidemic gripping our country, crime is a concern everywhere you go. That being said, some communities are safer than others. And some, like Myrtle Beach, have some work to do on preventing crime and protecting citizens from crime. Let’s take a snapshot of the most recent crime data and go over some ways to protect yourself and your property.
Myrtle Beach Crime Rates
The most recent crime data available is for 2017 and while the numbers are slowly getting better, many crime analysts still give Myrtle Beach an F on crime. What kind of crime is responsible for these findings? Here are some fast facts:
- Myrtle Beach has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the nation at 1 in 87.
- The chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime in the Myrtle Beach area is 1 in 7.
- The likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime in Myrtle Beach is 1 in 60.
- Larceny in Myrtle Beach reached its second highest rate of the past five years in 2017.
- Rape reached the highest rate in 2017 of any of the previous five years in the Myrtle Beach area.
- The overall crime rate for all types of crime in the Myrtle Beach area is 446% higher than the national average.
Law enforcement officials do have a plan to address the local crime rate. That plan includes adding more officers, increasing officer salary to get and retain top-notch officers, additional training and adding a “Power Shift” of additional police presence from the hours of 3 P.M. to 3 A.M. – the peak crime hours.
Protecting Yourself from Crime
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property from crime. The first and most obvious is to always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Put your cell phone away and focus on the area around you when going from a vehicle to a building and vice versa. Minimizing your distractions allows you to notice things you might otherwise miss and helps you avoid crimes of opportunity. Here are a few other ways to protect yourself:
- Don’t walk or jog alone early in the morning or during dusk or nighttime. Also, avoid walking or jogging in places where there are very few people around.
- Park in well-lighted areas and always lock your car, including at gas stations when you get out to pump gas. Always lock your car while you are outside of the vehicle.
- Do not open or answer the door for anyone you don’t know. Many burglars and kidnappers will pose as service men or delivery men to convince you to open your door.
- Always keep doors and windows locked when not home or when you are not within sight of the open doors or windows.
- Consider investing in an alarm system and monitoring service for your home.
- Keep trees and bushes trimmed to limit places for intruders or attackers to hide.
- Install motion activated spotlights and cameras outside your home, focusing on doors and other entry points.
- Invest in smart lighting or an old-fashioned timer to pre-set lights to come on inside the home when it gets dark if you won’t be home yet.
- Take a self-defense class. There are a few locations in the Grand Strand that offer self-defense classes, especially for women and children.
- If you are grabbed or attacked by a stranger, do whatever is necessary to avoid being put into a vehicle and relocated. Scream and fight back however you need to, to avoid being taken to a second location. Victims of crime that are taken to a second location have far lower odds of surviving.
Unfortunately, crime can happen anywhere and to anyone, but with Myrtle Beach crime rates as high as they are, following some common safety practices can make you less desirable as a target for criminals. First and foremost, being aware and alert is the number one key to prevent becoming a victim of crime.
