SOUTH CAROLINA, Myrtle Beach area police ready for biker rally

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/09/27/1718273/area-police-ready-for-biker-rally.html Myrtle Beach area police ready for biker rally By Janelle Frost - jfrost@thesunnews.com Area law enforcement officials say they do not anticipate a large crowd during this week's annual fall motorcycle rally, and they will have the same traffic plans in place as previous years.

The Pilgrimage, which runs Wednesday through Sunday, typically is smaller than the area's two spring biker rallies. The fall rally has drawn as many as 40,000 people during its peak.

Most law enforcement officials say their departments will have some additional officers present for this year's motorcycle rally and enforcement of local and state laws will be as usual.

Myrtle Beach area officials lay out Bikefest plans
With a diminished Harley-Davidson presence already in the Myrtle Beach area's rearview mirror, local law enforcement agencies are now turning to this weekend's Atlantic Beach Bikefest.

Not much is changing this year in the preparation, but no one's sure how many bikers will pour into local roadways. We talked with North Myrtle Beach city spokeswoman Nicole Aiello, Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the S.C. Highway Patrol and Lt. Doug Furlong with the Myrtle Beach police about what sort of traffic patterns and police presence to expect.

Question | Do you expect a greater number of motorcycles for Atlantic Beach Bikefest this year?

Officials boost police presence in specific areas for motorcycle rallies

Officials boost police presence in specific areas for motorcycle rallies

Area law enforcement officials are gearing up for the Harley-Davidson Cruisin' the Coast spring rally, which begins Friday.

Most of their departments will have additional officers present for this year's Harley motorcycle rally, and officials said they will have the same traffic plans in place as previous years.

Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, in particular, do not have any specific plans in place for Ocean Boulevard.

Cruisin' the Coast spring motorcycle rally just getting started

Cruisin' the Coast spring motorcycle rally just getting started

S tate troopers said fewer motorcycle-involved crashes have occurred during this year's Cruisin' the Coast spring rally compared with a year ago, even as the S.C. Highway Patrol continues to investigate a crash that killed one biker on Thursday.

But the busiest portion of the rally is expected this weekend, said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

DUIs yield to crackdown in Horry, Georgetown counties

DUIs yield to crackdown in Horry, Georgetown counties

DUI-related crashes dropped slightly so far this year in Horry and Georgetown counties as state public safety officials continue to target the crime they say is a leading cause of traffic deaths in the state.

New television commercials and increased patrols and enforcement are among the efforts to cut the number of people driving under the influence and without seat belts through the Labor Day holiday weekend, which also marks the end of the S.C. Department of Public Safety's 100 Deadly Days of Summer safety campaign.

"DUI is a careless disregard for human life. DUI is a crime," said Mark Keel, state public safety director. "And we can all be crime fighters; not just men and women in uniform. Concerned citizens who call *HP [on a cell phone] to report a drunk driver are fighting crime, just as a sober person who says to an intoxicated friend, 'I'll take the keys tonight.'"

Filming of movie expected to cause brief traffic delays in Georgetown

Filming of movie expected to cause brief traffic delays in Georgetown

Motorists should expect brief traffic delays Monday on the U.S. 17 bridge in Georgetown as the filming of the upcoming movie "The Bay," formerly called "Isopod," will be taking place that day, according to a news release from Deputy Russell Goodale with the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff’s Office will be assisting film crews between 3 and 9 p.m. Monday in the area of the Black River/Waccamaw bridge (U.S. 17), Goodale said.

The Sheriff’s Office personnel will be stopping north and southbound traffic in that area for brief periods during that time frame to allow filming for the upcoming movie “The Bay," Goodale said.

This will be the first rally since Myrtle Beach's controversial helmet requirement was overturned.

Capt. David Knipes with the Myrtle Beach Police Department, North Myrtle Beach assistant city manager Steve Thomas, Deputy Russell Goodale with the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, and Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the S.C. Highway Patrol talked to The Sun News about their departments' plans for the rally:

Q.| What is the plan regarding traffic?

Knipes| There are no changes to the normal traffic pattern.

Thomas| No specific traffic plan is anticipated. At this time we have no reason to believe that we will experience traffic congestion that willextraordinarily hamper the movement of traffic on our streets within the City of North Myrtle Beach.

Goodale | In regards to traffic, we have never had a major problem in our county. We will have personnel on stand-by.

Collins | Our main objective will be the hot spots where a lot of motorcycles and cars are. Troopers will be stationed at those places to help pedestrians and motorcycles out of the roadway. Enforcement troopers will make sure everyone's safe.

Q. | Will there be additional officers, including state troopers, working this rally?

Knipes | We have requested no additional resources.

Thomas | A small number of officers will be used to augment the strength of the scheduled shifts. The exact number of additional officers is unknown at this time.

Collins | Some additional troopers will be down for the weekend in areas where there's a large concentration of motorcycles and cars.

Q. | What areas are expected to be the most congested during this rally?

Thomas | Heavy congestion is not expected anywhere; however, we should expect some very minor delays on U.S. 17 North due to construction and somewhat heavy traffic volume.

Collins | The southern end of Horry County and at the Georgetown County line with the highest concentration in Murrells Inlet. We do expect some activity in Myrtle Beach and up on S.C.9.

Q. | What will be your targeted enforcement efforts during the rally?

Knipes | Traffic violations that create safety hazards, speeding, failure to yield, failure to stop for signs, signals, driving under the influence, etc.

Thomas | All laws will be enforced equally and fairly. Violations will be addressed as needed.

Collins | As everyday, state laws where we make sure everyone is safe and operating within speed limits.

Q. | Is there anything people need to know to have a safe and enjoyable time during the rally?

Knipes | Drive defensively, slow down, wear your seatbelts.

Thomas | All motorists should be extra cautious and anticipate an increased number of motorcycles traveling our streets and highways. Most of all they should be patient and courteous when driving and allow extra time to arrive safely at their destination.

While motorcycle helmets are not required, the additional safety they provide should be taken very seriously.

Goodale | People should obey S.C. laws and county ordinances. Also motorists need to be on the look out for motorcycles.

Collins | The S.C. Highway Patrol reminds motorists to share the road with motorcycles and motorcyclists to drive defensively.