Berkeley County enforcing new boat landing ordinance over Memorial Day weekend

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) — The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office will be enforcing a new ordinance this Memorial Day weekend to crack down on disorderly conduct at their boat landings.

Berkeley County officials say they’ve had several issues over the past few years at boat landings around Lake Moultrie. This new ordinance gives patrol officers the tools to enforce safe conduct.

“We want to protect our natural spaces. We want to ensure the safety and accessibility for our citizens to use these landings,” said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis.

The ordinance prohibits swimming within 50 feet of the landings, alcohol consumption, blocking the landing, and parking in trailer spots. Officers will be issuing citations for illegal parking and deputies will be at the boat landings Memorial Day weekend educating people on the new ordinance.

“We want everyone to be considerate, use common sense,” said Berkeley County Chief Deputy Jeremy Baker. “Unfortunately, at times people are selfish and come to the landings and they’re focused on their day and not everyone else’s: creating a problem, blocking everyone in and stopping a family from having a good day.”

The ordinance comes after Berkeley County deputies say they’ve had complaints of large crowds obstructing boat launches, loud music, alcohol consumption, litter, overflow parking and more from residents and visitors.

“Hopefully, it will wake people up to take care and do the right thing. It’s sad people leave so much litter.” said Howard Hogue also known as Beach Santa.

There will be four boats on the lake this weekend and 20 additional officers. The Sheriff says the goal of the ordinance is to keep everyone safe, make launching boats quicker and more efficient and protect the area’s natural resources.

“We are one of the fastest growing counties in the nation and people come here because of the natural resources we have and low taxes, but when an area gets overrun with people it’s not safe,” said Lewis.

Overton Park at Lake Moultrie will open this weekend for anyone who wants to swim at the lake.