North Myrtle Beach police are working to create a real-time crimes unit

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The North Myrtle Beach Police Department is working to create a Real-Time Crime Unit to better solve crimes and keep the public safe.

The department says they are assembling a group of officers to monitor illegal activity using a system of new cameras placed throughout the city.

A similar system has already been successful in Myrtle Beach – the city credits its camera network with a drop in violent crime this year.

While the North Myrtle Beach unit is still a work in progress, NMBPD Deputy Chief Johnny Sellers said they expect their system to have a similar effect on local crime trends.

“It makes us more efficient,” he said. “That way, if they see something, they can call the police and respond.”

The department says the new cameras will be as minimally invasive as possible, staying in high-traffic areas and eventually expanding to places like beach accesses.

However, Sellers said these cameras would never invade the public's privacy.

“We truly believe in the privacy of our citizens,” he said. “In public places we want to install cameras so we can actually detect crimes and find people who have committed crimes to ensure the safety of the public.”

Vendors also said the department will use a mapping system that will allow it to pinpoint where police and firefighters are assisting.

Sellers said they are still in the process of setting up the real-time crime unit and are in the process of hiring agents. He said they expect to have a full staff and center sometime next summer.

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