Residents of Myrtle Beach protest against privatized parking enforcement.
Myrtle Beach is embroiled in a class-action lawsuit regarding its decision to privatize parking enforcement, involving Georgia-based companies. Residents claim this arrangement violates South Carolina law, leading to multiple parking tickets and calls for refunds. Additional legal disputes also arise from an assault case at Myrtle Beach Mall and injuries related to a roller coaster incident at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, raising concerns over public safety and enforcement of regulations.
In the beach-loving city of Myrtle Beach, the warm sun isn’t the only thing heating things up this summer. A class-action lawsuit has hit the courts, targeting the city over its decision to privatize parking enforcement. It seems like the sandy shores are not just attracting tourists; they’re also attracting legal battles!
This lawsuit brings the city’s parking practices under scrutiny, specifically focusing on two Georgia-based companies: Lanier Parking Meter Services, LLC and Lanier Parking Holdings, Inc.. These companies are accused of taking on the city’s parking enforcement duties—a move that some residents believe is a big no-no.
The class representative in this case is James Daniel, a local resident of Horry County. Daniel stands firm in his belief that the city is unlawfully handing over its authority, commonly referred to as police powers, to these private entities. You see, within the scenic boardwalks and fun activities, there’s an allegation that this arrangement violates South Carolina law.
Here’s the scoop: the lawsuit claims that the city shouldn’t be signing contracts allowing private companies to patrol the streets, issue tickets, and even collect fines. The arrangement has a profit-sharing plan that benefits both the city and the private companies involved. Sounds a bit shady, right? Daniel has reported receiving multiple parking tickets in Myrtle Beach, leading him to take legal action.
The lawsuit notably mentions that South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has previously opined that municipalities lack the legal authority to delegate parking enforcement to private companies. This has fueled the flames of this growing legal fire, with the lawsuit looking for serious changes—namely, to stop these private companies from enforcing parking rules and to hold fines in trust until everything is settled.
The situation doesn’t end there! The lawsuit also seeks refunds for folks who’ve paid fines while the defendants have been contracted with the city between 2017 and 2024. So, if you’ve shelled out cash for a parking ticket in the area, keep your fingers crossed!
Walker is seeking justice, claiming the mall did not provide adequate security measures on that fateful evening. While the Horry County Police Department has made arrests related to the incident, some charges against suspects have reportedly been dismissed. Walker suffered severe injuries and is seeking punitive damages through this legal process.
To top it all off, there’s another lawsuit making waves that involves a North Carolina couple taking action against Family Kingdom Amusement Park. The suit stems from a roller coaster incident that left the husband with life-altering spinal cord injuries.
The incident occurred on July 23, 2021, on the park’s Swamp Fox Roller Coaster, and the couple claims the park failed to conduct proper inspections. This unfortunate event has left the husband paralyzed and has resulted in a quest for damages, including claims for loss of companionship.
Family Kingdom has expressed its disappointment regarding the lawsuit, noting that this incident happened before their current ownership began. It seems this isn’t the first time the Swamp Fox Roller Coaster has been at the center of litigation. Previous lawsuits have arisen in connection with rider injuries, building a tough history for this amusement attraction.
As these legal challenges unfold, Myrtle Beach residents and visitors alike are left wondering how the city will address these concerns. Will the class-action lawsuit revolutionize parking enforcement? Can mall safety measures be improved? And how will local attractions respond to concerns about safety?
The coming weeks promise to be interesting in this coastal city, and it’s safe to say that the ocean isn’t the only thing stirring up waves!
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