Myrtle Beach Faces Lawsuit Over Parking Enforcement Practices

Categories: Breaking NewsGovernment NewsNewsPolitics

View of Myrtle Beach with parking meters along the boardwalk

News Summary

A lawsuit has been filed against Myrtle Beach regarding the legality of its third-party parking enforcement. Resident James Daniel claims the city has unlawfully delegated parking ticket issuance to a private company, which could impact other coastal towns as well. Despite a South Carolina Attorney General’s opinion suggesting this practice is unconstitutional, Myrtle Beach officials intend to continue, leading to significant financial implications and potential class action claims for refunds for unfair tickets.

Myrtle Beach is in the Spotlight Over Parking Enforcement Lawsuit

It seems that the beautiful coastal city of Myrtle Beach is stirring up more than just sand and surf these days. Residents and tourists alike may want to pay attention to a controversial lawsuit that has recently been filed regarding the legality of third-party parking enforcement.

What’s Happening?

On January 17, 2025, a resident named James Daniel from Horry County took a significant step by filing a lawsuit in the Horry County Court of Common Pleas. He’s not alone in this battle; this case is essentially a class action lawsuit aiming to represent others who have received parking tickets issued by Lanier Parking Meter Services, LLC over the last several years—from 2017 to 2024. Daniel claims that he has received multiple tickets from this private company, and he’s had enough.

Why the Lawsuit?

The lawsuit is gaining traction thanks to a compelling opinion that came from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office on November 15. According to this opinion, municipalities—including Myrtle Beach—are not legally allowed to hand over parking enforcement responsibilities to private companies. It states that issuing these parking tickets is a power that belongs to the municipalities themselves and cannot be delegated without proper legislative or constitutional backing.

Despite this strong legal opinion, officials in Myrtle Beach have made it clear that they plan to stick to their current parking enforcement practices. They seem determined to continue using third-party services for ticketing and managing parking fines, which has Daniel and many others feeling frustrated and betrayed.

The Financial Aspect

Daniel’s complaint suggests that the arrangement between Myrtle Beach and Lanier Parking is not just illegal, but also unconstitutional. His allegations are quite striking: he mentions that the city has raked in over a million dollars in parking fines, which he believes are not legally defensible. The lawsuit is pushing for a stop to this third-party enforcement and is asking that refunds be issued to people who have been ticketed unfairly.

Broader Implications

But this isn’t just about one man’s fight; it has implications for other coastal towns as well. Daniel’s attorney, Gene Connell, has also filed petitions with the South Carolina Supreme Court regarding similar complaints in nearby towns like North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach. Connell is looking for an expedited resolution, especially with the tourist season approaching. Millions of visitors are expected to flock to South Carolina’s beaches, and questions around the legality of these fines could leave a bad taste in many mouths.

His argument is straightforward: if local governments are enforcing rules that don’t align with the Constitution, then it’s crucial that the court steps in quickly for the benefit of the public.

Echoes of Similar Cases

This lawsuit has surfaced amidst a wave of similar actions against other South Carolina cities utilizing private firms for parking enforcement. Cities like Folly Beach, Beaufort, and Isle of Palms have faced scrutiny for their own parking policies. Myrtle Beach is right in the thick of it all, and city officials have described the Attorney General’s opinion as non-binding, assuring the public that their current methods are part of an effective parking management strategy.

What’s Next?

As this legal drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will all play out for Myrtle Beach residents and its visitors. With tensions rising and disputes over parking enforcement practices, many are left wondering whether this case could change the way municipalities handle parking tickets and fines moving forward.

Stay tuned for more updates on this intriguing story as it develops—who knows, it might make parking in Myrtle Beach a whole lot easier for everyone involved!