Folly Beach residents could decide in November whether or not to permanently ban alcohol on the town’s beach.
The city council granted first reading Thursday to a proposed ordinance that would permanently ban alcohol on the towns. There will be two more readings before August 5 in order to get the referendum on the November 6 ballot.
The ballot question would be straight forward: “Council should prohibit the possession and/or consumption of beer and all alcoholic beverages on the beach.” Voters would simply check “yes” or “no”.
Earlier this week, the city council passed a temporary ban that would run through Labor Day. The move came after Mayor Tim Goodwin said alcohol-related crimes in the town were getting out of hand. The vote came almost a week after a major brawl broke out on the town’s popular beach on July 4. Seven people were arrested and four officers were slightly injured.
Goodwin says a survey done by the town found a majority of Folly residents support the ban.
Sheree Bernardi contributed to this report
