Friends of Bikers of Lesser Tolerance - B.O.L.T.

In a letter to the Myrtle Beach Sun, a South Carolina motorcyclist tells of harassment by Myrtle Beach police just because of what he was wearing while at a tourist resort.

Harassment in Myrtle Beach

I found myself in a very embarrassing and frustrating situation today.

I have been living in Surfside Beach for over three years now and I like to ride motorcycles. I am also ex law enforcement from Williamsburg county.. This week I have relatives visiting from Florida and Rhode Island, and they are staying in Myrtle Beach at the Dunes Marriott off 82nd avenue north. My wife and I drove our 2006 white Dodge TRUCK (not our motorcycle) there to visit with them today. Unknowingly to us, that was wear law enforcement was having some type of seminar on gang violence.
While we were there, my cousin was showing us around the complex and we walked to the indoor pool wear his niece and nephew were swimming. (both are under the age of 12). They were being carefully watched by their father who is a firefighter in the state of Rhode Island.
While we were in the pool house talking and watching the children swim, several resort security personnel and a Myrtle Beach K-9 officer approached me and asked me to step out side. At that time is when the harassment began. The resort security personnel were very professional and courteous, but to the point. The Myrtle Beach K-9 officer on the other hand was very rude and unprofessional. He stood there in his tightly perfectly pressed uniform with his chest protruding out staring at me with such intensity, I felt that if I would have sneezed, he would have put a bullet between my eyes before even thinking about his actions !!!
He took my identification and backed away never taking his eyes off of me. He got on his radio and ran my ID through the NCIC system. Much to his surprise and very much disappointment (which was very obvious), I came back clear. No warrants, no wanted by the FBI, not anything he could use to validate using force to take me down. I think I ruined his day. I turned out to be just an average Joe. This did not stop him !!! He continued to stare at me with such intensity that it felt like he was begging me to make any kind of move so he could justify taking me down with force. Well, needless to say, I am just an average Joe and I did nothing to provoke him. After all, I was only there visiting relatives from out of state.
You can just imagine the HORROR my wife family and their children felt during this situation brought on by an over zelis Myrtle Beach K-9 police officer. I do not think they will ever want to visit this area again, and I doubt they will recommend Myrtle Beach to their friends as a friendly family vacation stop. All of this was brought on because I was wearing black riding boots, black Levi jeans, a white flannel shirt, a hat that said Harley Davidson on the front and a black vest. Please note, With the exception of the color of my jeans and shirt, I always wear my boots, hat, and vest everywhere I go in North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, and Murrells Inlet etc. I have never been harassed in any of these areas.
This was a case of pure and simple profiling of someone whom to them was a biker gang member! Again, I am ex law enforcement, and I know what harassment and profiling is. People who ride motorcycles are not gang members! We are doctors, lawyers, nurses, professionals in any type of work force, and we are blue collar workers etc.
Why must we be treated this way in Myrtle Beach? I have not filed any type of complaint in any way. I just want the public to be aware of the fears they face if they venture in to the city limits of Myrtle Beach and they are a motorcycle enthusiast. Everyone PLEASE let your friends and family know that if they visit the city of Myrtle Beach and they do not follow their dress code, they will be harassed and horrified!

Gary P. Balcom