Myrtle Beach replies to complaints of profiling bikers

OFFTHE WIRE
LETTER FROM THE CITY OF MYRLE BEACH PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Ms. Kimsey…

Thank you for writing. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce forwarded your message to me, and I am happy to respond, although the incident your describe should not have occurred. I saw also where Brad Dean of the Chamber of Commerce sent a reply to you, and I echo his apology that anyone should have made such a comment or thought such a thing. (I’ve pasted Mr. Dean’s reply below, since I am copying members of our staff with this message.)

Alas, I think the clerk’s misinformed remark is like the old children’s game of telephone. You know, one person says something at the end of the line, and the message is passed – and mangled beyond recognition – by the time it gets to the other end. No one here has ever said or thought that bikers are criminals just because they’re bikers. That’s truly absurd.

The city recently decided that it no longer wanted to be the location for three, huge back-to-back motorcycle rallies that occupied nearly three weeks of May each year. That decision came because the rallies overwhelmed our area and had outgrown us as a destination. Yes, some behaviors during those three weeks were undesirable and unwelcome, and the city responded appropriately by targeting the specific behaviors, and not bikers as a whole.

As Mr. Dean mentioned, ordinances were amended to address specific problems, such as hotel guests who damaged properties or crammed a dozen overnight guests into a single room. Some of these problems occurred during the giant motorcycle rallies, but they were by no means confined just to the rallies. Again, no one with the city has ever said, thought or implied that bikers-equal-criminals. Unfortunately, the clerk was ill informed. He leapt to a conclusion that is incorrect and, quite understandably, offensive to you.

Again, please accept our apologies for the clerk’s remark. His comment does not reflect the city’s or the chamber’s point of view. And I greatly appreciate that you called this to our attention.

Thanks,
Mark Kruea
Public Information Officer
City of Myrtle Beach

LETTER FROM THE MYRTLE BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Ms. Kimsey,

I received a letter sent by you, which you addressed to the Mayor of Myrtle Beach. I regret the experience you described and can assure you that neither the city, nor its residents think all motorcycle enthusiasts are criminals. In the past year, the Myrtle Beach City Council have taken specific, planned actions to curtail some of the problems experienced during motorcycle rallies and enhance the safety of all visitors, including motorcyclists. However, neither the mayor, the city council, the chamber of commerce nor the general population view you as a criminal simply because of the vehicle you choose to ride. I am sorry that anyone would have conveyed that message to you.

We will forward a copy of your letter to the General Manager of the hotel where this occurred and encourage them to follow up on this. Again, I regret the inconvenience and hope you will return for a future visit. With warmest regards, I am,

Brad Dean
President & CEO
Myrtle Beach Area Chamber / CVB
1200 N. Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578-2115