Myrtle Beach police to increase presence, strictly enforce curfew for minors after ‘disturbing’ fireworks incidents

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach police will increase its presence this weekend and strictly enforce a curfew for minors after a series of “disturbing” fireworks incidents, the department said on Facebook.

Late Thursday night and into Friday morning, police said people were “intentionally” shooting fireworks at each other, neighbors, homes and cars. The series of events were captured on video.

A brush fire started near a home, and when members of the Myrtle Beach Police and Fire Departments showed up, fireworks were shot at them, police said.

In a separate incident, a teenage boy was injured when fireworks and a gun were shot during a family gathering he was attending, according to police. In another incident, a young person’s hand was badly injured by fireworks.

“All of this is unacceptable, disturbing, and dangerous. This is not ‘harmless fun with fireworks.’ These are criminal acts that hurt people and damage property,” police said on Facebook. “The incidents are under investigation by the Myrtle Beach Police Department. Those responsible, as well as the parents or guardians who allow it, will be identified and held accountable for their actions.”

The department said the curfew for minors, which will be “strictly enforced,” will be between midnight and 6 a.m.

“We are concerned that this type of behavior will continue and more people will be seriously injured if we don’t work together to put an immediate end to it. We need help from our community,” police said. “Please supervise your children, destroy any fireworks they have, and make sure they are home before the city’s curfew takes effect. Don’t shoot fireworks at other people or property.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 843-918-1382. Anyone with information leading to an arrest may be entitled to a $1,000 cash reward.

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