MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The Myrtle Beach Police Department has been given the green light for hundreds of thousands in grants.

On Tuesday, the Myrtle Beach City Council approved the funding, which will help MBPD expand its services.

The first grant will endow MBPD with more than $80,000 from the state, with a local match of nearly $30,000, which will fund a first-of-its-kind police victim advocate.

MBPD Chief Amy Prock said victim advocates typically work through the court system and the DA, but this new role will be a more direct link and work for the police department. Their new police victim advocate will be boots on the ground next to the officers.

“They will work within our family services unit and be assigned with our detectives when we have violent crimes,” Chief Prock said. “We want to be able to connect, we want to be able to make a difference and build relationships in our community.”

Another $300,000 grant was also approved at the same time and will fund the hiring of a pair of new health coordinators. These coordinators will help people in need throughout the Grand Strand understand and access services.

“We as law enforcement are trying to fight to make a difference, to address those who are bringing poison into our community, and we have service providers who are trying to help those addicted to a variety of different things. in our community,” Prock said.

The grant will also help MBPD establish a diversion program, allowing officers to divert low-level offenders to community services, mental health services and drug rehabilitation.

“These are health care coordinators who work on case management, they work with service providers throughout the community, and that’s part of our need, case management in our community,” Prock said. “I have no doubt this will make a difference to victims’ lives for the future.”

Prock said her department has already hired its first health coordinator and is looking for a second. However, the police victim advocate role will be posted in the coming weeks.

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