April 1, 2025

Myrtle Beach Police Department Plans New Facilities Amidst Challenges

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News Summary

The Myrtle Beach Police Department is planning a significant overhaul with a new police station in the pipeline, aimed at addressing its aging facilities. With a budget of $25 million allocated for the project, the new station will be designed to last several decades. Additionally, improvements are underway for fire services, and partnerships for transit facilities are in progress. However, these developments are shadowed by an ongoing investigation into the tragic drowning of a local individual, underscoring the community’s complexity as it navigates growth alongside past tragedies.

Myrtle Beach Police Department’s Age-Old Dilemma: New Facilities in Sight

The Myrtle Beach Police Department is gearing up for a substantial overhaul as calls for new facilities come amid concerns over its aging infrastructure. The police department, currently nestled in the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center on 1101 N. Oak St., first opened its doors back in 1982. With the building now reaching 43 years of age, there is a palpable consensus that it is bursting at the seams to accommodate the growing demands of law enforcement.

Plans for a New Police Station

In an ambitious move, Myrtle Beach’s city manager Fox Simons has unveiled a bold vision for a new police station, as outlined in the city’s five-year capital improvement plan. An impressive $25 million is earmarked for design, engineering, and property acquisition related to the new facility, which is slated for fiscal year 2027.

The envisioned structure will span an impressive 60,000 to 80,000 square feet, built with longevity in mind, designed to last anywhere from 30 to 50 years. While detailed plans for the future of the current law enforcement center remain ambiguous, the momentum for a fresh start is undeniable.

Firefighters Ready for Modern Facility

In addition to the police department’s upgrade, the city is also making strides in enhancing its fire services. A new fire station, set to replace the current fire station No. 1, is preparing to break ground in 2026. The modern facility will offer 27,000 square feet, complete with six engine bays, and is projected to cost around $26.5 million, staggered between fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This dual commitment to upgrading emergency services highlights a broader trend toward **enhancing public safety infrastructure** in Myrtle Beach.

Creation of Transit Facilities with Coast RTA

Moreover, the city is not stopping at police and fire stations. In a forward-thinking partnership, the City of Myrtle Beach has teamed up with Coast RTA to develop an 18.7-acre site near the intersection of Robert Grissom Parkway and Executive Avenue. Coast RTA’s ambitious plans include a $58 million operations and maintenance facility, featuring a 12-bay transit center and administrative offices. This comprehensive approach aims to create a more efficient public transportation infrastructure for the Myrtle Beach area, addressing longstanding needs.

Ongoing Investigations Cast a Shadow

Christopher Skinner in September 2021. A motivational speaker and author, Skinner, who was a quadriplegic following a car accident, was found unresponsive in a pool. His death was initially ruled an accident, attributed to asphyxiation by drowning.

Recently, the Myrtle Beach Police Department reopened their investigations only to reach the conclusion that no crime was committed, which they subsequently closed. However, the separate inquiry by the Horry County Coroner’s Office has taken a different path, remaining open in light of new evidence.

Skinner’s family has expressed significant concern regarding the circumstances of his death, particularly due to a connection with a person involved in the case who is currently under FBI investigation. As speculations surrounding his death intensify, the Skinner family remains actively involved in the re-investigation, pushing for a clearer understanding of the events that unfolded that fateful day.

A Community at a Crossroads

The juxtaposition of the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s plans for modern facilities, coupled with the emotionally charged inquiry into Christopher Skinner’s death, paints a complex picture of a community both striving for progress while grappling with its past. As Myrtle Beach advances towards building a safer and more efficient future, the legacy of unresolved tragedies continues to loom large over the city.