The Beach Patrol Division is responsible for all law enforcement operation and the overall safety of our residents and visitors on our beaches. The officers enforce a wide variety of city and state laws and assist animal control. They also assist with identifying and marking sea turtle nesting sites. Each Beach Patrol officer is an American Red Cross certified lifeguard, which includes certification in CPR and the use of AED (Automated External Defibrillator).
Each year the City of North Myrtle Beach hires 80 to 90 lifeguards to man the many lifeguard towers. Recruiting efforts are already underway for the 2012 season. Swim Clinics will tentively begin on February 11, 2012 and will continue every Saturday until May 12, 2012. The Clinics are held and the NMB Aquatics and Fitness Center from 5:30pm until 7:30pm. Beach Patrol officers will be conducting these sessions to assist anyone that may be interested in becoming a NMB Lifeguard. These Clinics are designed to prepare you for the required 500 meter swim which has to be conducted in 10 minutes or less. For more information please call 843-281-3820.
The North Myrtle Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety operates it's Beach Patrol Unit primarily from May – October, depending on population and weather conditions.
The Beach Patrol officers patrol the beach every day of the year, and are ever vigilant for safety, code, and health violations as well as the ever changing conditions and physical makeup of the landscape. It is important to know that everything from litter, animal waste, discarded lounge chairs, an driftwood debris can become not only an "eye-sore" but may constitute health hazards to us all as well as violate many State and local laws.
Below are some of the rules concerning our beach and some suggestions you can follow to assist us in not only keeping North Myrtle Beach safe, but Keeping it Beautiful as well.
- DO NOT litter: use the provided trash receptacles
- DO NOT carry any glass on the beach
- DO NOT have alcoholic beverages on the beach
- DO NOT walk your dog off-leash
- DO NOT walk, sit, or set up umbrellas tents or chairs on or near the dunes and sand fences.
- DO NOT leave small children unattended. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!
- DO NOT drive on the beach, park on the dunes, or block any access point
