Myrtle Beach fires back at study ranking it No. 2 most unsafe US beach

Myrtle Beach, a beloved coastal city in South Carolina, has recently come under fire after being ranked the second most unsafe beach in the United States in a study conducted by Everly Life, an insurance company. The study also listed seven Florida beaches in the top 10 most dangerous, with New Smyrna Beach taking the top spot.

The study assessed four main risk factors to determine the safety of popular U.S. beaches, including crime rates, shark attacks, drownings, and wind conditions. Surprisingly, no West Coast or Northeast beaches were included in the list, leaving many to wonder why.

Myrtle Beach’s reputation for safety has been called into question following a shooting in the entertainment district that left the shooter dead and 11 others injured. Despite this incident, city officials and locals alike vehemently deny that Myrtle Beach is unsafe.

Meredith Denari, director of communications and creative services for the City of Myrtle Beach, criticized the Everly Life study as “misleading, flawed, and skewed,” pointing out inconsistencies and outdated data used in the report. She emphasized that Myrtle Beach is a wonderful place to live and visit, with the Myrtle Beach Police Department reporting downward trends in crime.

The recent shooting was described as a tragic and isolated incident by Denari, who highlighted the quick response of law enforcement officers in neutralizing the threat. Locals, such as Melissa K., a resident of Myrtle Beach, echoed these sentiments, stating that while the incident was shocking, it does not represent the overall safety of the area.

Despite the negative attention brought by the study and the shooting, Melissa emphasized that Myrtle Beach is still a beautiful place to visit and live. She noted that while incidents can happen anywhere, being aware of your surroundings is key to staying safe.

In conclusion, Myrtle Beach residents and officials are standing by their city, refuting claims of it being unsafe. While challenges exist, the community remains resilient and continues to enjoy all that Myrtle Beach has to offer.