03-06-2025
Myrtle Beach officials talk CCMF safety protocols after Ocean Boulevard violence
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach officials held a Carolina Country Music Fest news conference on Monday, after some residents and visitors expressed safety concerns with recent gun-related crimes on Ocean Boulevard.
City officials say more than 30,000 people attended each day of CCMF in 2024. The event also brought $50 million to Myrtle Beach.
Officials say to keep the event successful, they must keep people safe.
'You'll see several safety features throughout the venue, such as fencing, hydro-barricades, and meridian vehicle barriers will be installed tomorrow,' George Johnson, Myrtle Beach Special Events and Police Master Corporal, said. 'These are all in place to help guide traffic, protect concertgoers, and maintain a secure environment.'
The Myrtle Beach Fire Department says dehydration has been the most common medical emergency at CCMF. The department responded to more than 200 heat-related emergencies at last year's festival.
Travis Glatki, the city's Emergency Management Coordinator, says that since first responders started treating people at an on-site medical tent in 2022, they decreased the number of transports from CCMF to local hospitals by almost 90%.
'Depending on the time of day, we will feature between five to seven dedicated medical response teams, comprised of certified EMTs and paramedics, stationed exclusively at the event site,' Glatki said. 'This substantial medical presence ensures rapid response capabilities for any health emergency that may arise.'
He also says two ambulances will be on standby for anyone who needs hospital care.
But with recent gun-related crimes on Ocean Boulevard, some residents and visitors say they are worried about their safety at CCMF. Myrtle Beach police say their staffing and procedures this year will be the same as last year.
The police department will still have help from other agencies, but roads around CCMF will have even more barricades this weekend.
'We have reached out not only to our local partners, but also to our federal partners to receive additional assistance,' Johnson said. 'So, for us, all hands will be on deck. We will all be working that weekend to ensure everyone is as safe as possible.'
Dana O'Brien, a city Emergency Management Specialist, told News13 that if severe weather forces everyone to evacuate, CCMF officials will let people know through announcements, screen displays, and the CCMF app.
'If lightning or severe weather ever becomes a concern within an eight-mile radius of the event, the grounds will need to be cleared,' O'Brien said. 'So, it's good practice to know your exits and have a plan for where you would seek shelter.'
A city spokesperson says 9th Avenue North is the main pedestrian walkway. There are two exits: one on 9th Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, and the other on 9th Avenue and Kings Highway.
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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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