Approximately 13.8 million people visit the Myrtle Beach, SC area each year, enjoying attractions that include 104 golf courses, more than 300 outlet stores, eight live entertainment theatres, and expansive sandy beaches. Retirees and conventioneers attracted by the temperate winters are joined by an influx of family vacationers during the summer months.
“There’s not really a slow time here,” says Steve Pate, Securitas USA site supervisor at Kingston Plantation, one of Myrtle Beach’s premiere destinations. “It’s a very active place.”
Securitas USA officers staff the main gate and issue vehicle passes to enter the property, a 143-acre oceanfront resort encompassing 1,643 condominiums, four fresh-water lakes and a 255-room all suites hotel. At least three officers are on duty at all times, helping control access, patrolling the property and responding to security-related concerns.
“This is a unique account that involves security responsibilities beyond what we typically provide at gated communities,” explains Eddie Leitgeb, Securitas USA area vice president. “We have to balance public access to the hotel and beach with the security requirements of condominium owners and renters.”
Securitas USA officers issue more than 1,000 entrance passes each month to homeowners, guests and contractors, and are responsible for helping to enforce numerous Kingston Plantation rules, ranging from parking regulations and golf cart policies to safety requirements and noise restrictions. They also respond to maintenance issues and more than 100 homeowner and renter requests each month.
Security-related incidents are documented in a daily report to Ally Management, which oversees all areas outside of the footprint of buildings for the Kingston Plantation Master Association.
“Steve Pate and the Securitas USA officers do a superb job,” says Carol Lange, an Ally Management’s operations manager at Kingston Plantation. “I meet with Steve every morning, and he not only provides incident reports, he also recommends appropriate responses to security issues.
One example cited by Lange involved changes to the golf cart policy to reduce the number of thefts and damage claims. Securitas USA and Ally Management worked together to create a registration database listing golf cart owners, their contact information and insurance coverage. Securitas USA and Ally Management also have developed detailed plans in the event that a hurricane watch or warning is issued, as well as procedures if an evacuation is ordered.
Eleven separate homeowners’ associations are involved in Kingston Plantation governance, with security-rated issues coordinated by a security committee. Pate meets monthly with Tom O’Brien, chairman of the HOA security committee to review activities, plan for upcoming events and discuss any issues.
“Our goal is to maintain a highly visible security presence here,” says Tom O’Brien, chairman of the HOA security committee. “That includes officers with a professional, friendly demeanor at the gatehouse, and also a saturation of security patrols throughout the plantation.”
Securitas USA officers continuously patrol the property in specially marked golf carts, augmented by bicycle and foot patrols during the summer season. John Everson, Securitas USA branch manager adds, “We know that a fun and relaxing resort environment also needs to be secure.”