Myrtle Beach's Beachside Chats aim to unite people

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – Myrtle Beach’s latest monthly Beachside Chat aimed to strengthen relationships between students and school resource officers.

“A lot of young people are afraid of law enforcement because they don’t understand law enforcement,” said mother Pamelia Barr.

That was the aim; understanding each other.

Sunday’s episode of Beachside Conversations specifically targeted students and school resource officers because students will be coming.

“Tell us what we need to do to help you have this wonderful, healthy, healthy life,” Cookie Goings said.

Goings is the director of Myrtle Beach’s Neighborhood Services.

He wanted students to know that SROs are there to help.

Many people need that outlet, Barr said.

“You have a lot of children who won’t be comfortable talking to auntie anymore. Or you don’t feel comfortable talking to your mother or father. They’re not in the right frame of mind,” Barr said. “But these Beachside Chats are letting them know there’s another way; there’s someone you can talk to.”

We hope these conversations can build those relationships.

“When we are together and the officers are willing to talk, I think it will make them feel more comfortable opening up,” Cristal Jones said.

For many, it did just that.

Tianna Bell is in seventh grade and said seeing these officers arrive shows they care.

“Some officers don’t care. That’s what these officers do,” Bell said. “Because when you’re having a bad day, you need someone to talk to.”

Beachside Conversations began in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.

Goings wanted to be a safe place to talk about difficult topics.

“Someone has to start the conversation. And if it bothers us, there’s a reason. We have to look within ourselves and find out why,” he said.

While many said their questions and concerns were addressed Sunday, the focus remained on building a brighter future.

“We can’t look back and say something we didn’t do yesterday. God has blessed us with a brand new day, let’s get this done,” Barr said.

December’s Beachside Chat will feature a tree lighting as a way to kick off the holiday season. This will happen on December 1st.

Related Posts