Police ramping up pressure on beaches, waterways and sandbars during coronavirus
This story was updated on March 26, 2020.
Law enforcement is maintaining an increased presence at Beaufort County’s beaches and adding sandbars and waterways to its enforcement in an effort to disperse groups of people, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The agencies stepping up efforts to limit coronavirus spread include the Sheriff’s office, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, and the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, according to Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Bob Bromage. The area of coverage does include Daufuskie Island.
On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster gave law enforcement officials across the state discretion to break up groups of three or more people as his administration works to stem the tide of coronavirus cases, which has ballooned to 424 confirmed cases in S.C.
Since Hilton Head Mayor John McCann shut down island beaches on Friday, reports have continued of larger than permitted groups on the beaches.
On Friday, the Sheriff’s Office first announced it was increasing its presence on Hilton Head beaches to keep people from gathering in large groups.
The Sheriff’s Office said deputies would disperse crowds, issue citations and arrest those found drinking alcohol.
“Though we strongly encourage outdoor activities during these stressful times, we urge Beaufort County residents and guests to practice social distancing in order to limit potential exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19),” a release from the Sheriff’s office said, on Friday.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 11:54 AM.
