NMB Public Safety Department’s February “Sock it to Winter” campaign was a big success!

During the month of February, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department ran a “Sock it to Winter” campaign in an effort to collect new socks to provide to homeless youths in the North Myrtle Beach area. With the help of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Towers on the Grove, Upward Bound/Horry Georgetown Technical College, and the community at large, the department was able to collect over 1,000 pairs of new socks.

Photo by Amanda Heim.

The department partnered with Sea Haven, Inc. to help distribute the new socks to homeless youths.

We congratulate the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department and all who contributed to this effort!

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department Collects 60 Coasts for Homeless Youths, and Continues its Focus on “Sock It To Winter” Campaign

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety employees donated over 60 coats in two weeks for distribution to homeless youth in the North Myrtle Beach area.

The NMB Public Safety Department, in conjunction with Sea Haven, Inc., also continues its “Sock It To Winter” campaign, encouraging area residents and visitors to donate new socks for homeless youths and adults. P

Participants can drop off new socks at the North Myrtle Beach Fire Station closest to them. Any style or color of sock will be accepted, sizes youth to adult. New socks only, please.

Fire Station Locations:

-- Station 1 - 1015 2nd Avenue South

-- Station 2 - 307 Sea Mountain Highway

-- Station 3 - 803 33rd Avenue South

-- Station 4 - 5345 Little River Neck Road

-- Station 5 - 4740 Barefoot Resort Bridge Road

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS FROM THE NORTH MYRTLE BEACH PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT

The holidays are just around the corner and the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department wants to make sure you have a safe and joyous one. As we head into the holiday shopping season, please keep these safety tips in mind:

• Never post your shopping plans or your purchases on social media.  Instead, call or text trusted friends and family to invite them to go shopping with you or to discuss your recent purchases.
•  Be aware.  Know your surroundings and locate the emergency exits in each store.  Do not let your cell phone be a distraction while you are out and about.  Pair up with a friend-- there is safety in numbers. 
• Only carry the credit cards you will use. Same goes for cash.
•  Leave all other documents and store credit cards in a safe place at home.
• Consider keeping your credit cards and money in a front pocket instead of carrying a purse; purses can be snatched from you and/or you may be tempted to leave a purse in an unattended shopping cart.  If you must carry a purse, use one that crosses over your chest to deter thieves.  
• Men should also keep their wallets in a front or zippered pocket to avoid being a victim of a pickpocket.
• Most of the discounts and deals start later in the evening on Thanksgiving day or early the following morning. If it's dark when you arrive at a store park in well-lit, well-travelled areas. Park in well-traveled areas during daylight as well.
• Keep any valuables in your vehicle out of sight or leave those items at home. If thieves do not see valuables when they look in your car windows, they will move on to an easier opportunity.
• When returning to your vehicle, have your keys in your hand, be aware of your surroundings, enter your car quickly and immediately lock all doors.
• If you notice suspicious people standing around in the area where your vehicle is parked, ask a store employee or security guard to escort you to your vehicle or watch as you walk to it.  If you sense that you are being followed, go to the nearest well-lit public location and contact local law enforcement.
• If you need to store purchases in your vehicle in between visits to different stores, consider moving your vehicle to a different location each time. This can help to deter thieves, who may have been watching you, from breaking into your vehicle and stealing your merchandise.

For more information contact PSO DARE/Crime Prevention Officer Julie Smith at 843-281-3706 or jasmith@nmb.us