Horry County Police Work to Combat Gang Crime in North Strand

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – During a Horry County Safety Board meeting Tuesday afternoon, Horry County Police outlined details of a task force being assembled to address rising violent crime.

“Many of the gangs we are currently investigating in the county tend to fail to meet standard national standards,” said Lieutenant Cory Dulina.

Lt. Dulina said a gang war was at the center of more than 135 criminal incidents in the north and west of the county, with focus areas stretching from Little River to Loris.

Members of the Bloods, Crips and Gangster Disciples were arrested in a major raid. Dulina says these members have been linked to murders, attempted murders, robberies and burglaries.

These are typically gangs found in larger cities across the country.

“You see neighborhood gangs or whatever claiming to be a nationwide gang. They don't necessarily adhere to their code of ethics,” Dulina said.

Just last month, WMBF News reported on the Deployment of the task force Within two weeks, 80 people were arrested, including 40 gang members, and 58 illegal weapons were seized. The task force consisted of the HCPD Criminal Investigations Bureau, the Operations Support Bureau, and a recently formalized HCPD Gang Unit.

Councilman Tom Anderson, who serves on the Public Safety Committee, says this was a team effort that he applauds.

“The task force is doing a great job and we are grateful to the federal government for helping us provide additional officers so we can ensure the safety of our citizens,” Anderson said.

The work of the task force comprised four phases.

• Phase 1: Deployment of the US Marshals Task Force to locate and arrest 31 individuals known to be gang members belonging to the Bloods, Crips or Gangster Disciples
• Phase 2: Street crime, drugs and gang units littered the Highway 9 corridor, leading into parts of Conway and Myrtle Beach
• Phase 3: Using surveillance techniques, community tips, and confidential informants to execute search warrants where known gang members congregated.
• Phase 4: Environmental services came together in the same area to address quality of life issues, providing assistance through education and issuing tickets where warranted.

Since the operation was completed, police say there have only been five incidents involving weapons in the affected area.

“There is no doubt that this operation had a major impact on gang violence throughout Horry County. It sent a clear message to all gang members in the county that Horry County Police will respond to violent crime wherever it occurs,” Dulina said.

The department is currently working on assembling another task force to handle additional criminal incidents throughout the county.

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