James Mullinix was arrested in broad daylight at the corner of Flagg St. North in Myrtle Beach. According to police reports, Mullinix admitted he was "out looking for prostitutes. This incident comes less than a week following three prostitution arrests just blocks from where Mullinix was picked up. Myrtle Beach Police Captain David Knipes said prostitution is not a bigger problem now than in previous years.
Statistics show 69 arrests relating to prostitution by the Myrtle Beach Police Department in So far in , the number nears 20 arrests made in relation to prostitution.
It's not just prostitution. These prostitutes are involved in other illegal activity or have acquaintances that are related to other illegal activity. Whether it's drugs, armed robbery, shoplifting," Knipes said. Knipes said the problem does not only come from prostitutes walking the areas, but from online escort services too.
None of the hotels wanted to be filmed on-camera but told WMBF the prostitution issue is hurting their business. Knipes said, the community needs to get involved in order to relieve the issue. He said anyone who calls police can remain anonymous. They're there 24 hours a day. If they see these things going on, they need to report it. Until we have that information, the data to show there's a problem in a certain area, we cannot direct our resources to properly handle that problem," Knipes said.
In , South Carolina State Legislature proposed to amend a bill that would sentence a person arrested for a third offense of prostitution for a maximum of five years in prison and a felony on their record.
