A Black veteran faces harassment issues in Myrtle Beach Resort, a homeowners association in South Carolina. The issue has led to one of the veteran’s neighbors getting arrested.
Tensions Rise as Veteran Faces Harassment
When Eugene Gary, a 69-year-old Black Marine Corps veteran, moved into the Wave Rider Resort on March 1, he hoped for a fresh start. After enduring homelessness and a series of personal challenges, Gary was grateful to find a home through the Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) in Myrtle Beach. His new ground-floor unit near the pool offered a sense of stability he hadn’t experienced in years.
However, Gary’s hopes for a peaceful life were quickly shattered.
Accusations from his White neighbors soon followed, with some alleging he was involved in drug dealing. Others misjudged him due to his limp, a result of a hip injury, assuming he was intoxicated.
A particularly hurtful incident occurred when a woman insulted his granddaughter, calling her “dirty braids.” The most unnerving event was when a man began loitering outside his unit, watching him daily.
“I don’t go nowhere. I sit here at night listening to see if they are all asleep before I can sleep. I don’t know what they will do … I can’t help it. I am afraid. That man comes every day and stares in my window. Every day. They are watching me because I’m Black. I’m Black. That’s all I did wrong,” Gary expressed.
The situation caught the attention of local officials and the NAACP, particularly after police charged one of Gary’s neighbors with second-degree harassment. The issue was also highlighted in a city podcast discussing Myrtle Beach’s new hate intimidation ordinance.
Facebook Group Started
Despite the clear tension, Gary’s neighbors deny any racial motivation. They claim their concerns are solely about security and the influx of visitors to the resort, which they say has seen an uptick in activity since Gary’s arrival.
The Wave Rider Resort, a former motel turned condominium complex, features a mix of residents. They include full-time occupants, long-term renters, and short-term guests. A private Facebook group for homeowners, managed by Mike Sims, a White Navy veteran, became a focal point for the controversy. Originally intended to foster community, the page devolved into a forum for sharing surveillance footage and airing grievances, often focusing on Gary and his granddaughter, Libby Pierce.
Gary’s concerns peaked in late March when Sims began what Gary perceived as a campaign of intimidation, including sitting outside Gary’s unit. The situation escalated when police, responding to reports of illegal activity, searched Gary’s room but found no evidence of wrongdoing.
In response, the Wave Rider’s homeowners association warned residents against posting defamatory content, citing potential legal consequences. However, tensions remained high. Sims continued his surveillance, resulting in Gary seeking a restraining order, which was ultimately denied by the court.
Sims defended his actions, stating, “The area, I’m going to come out and say it, is a drug-infested area. It’s a bad part of town and we do everything we can to protect our area.” He maintained his innocence, asserting he was not harassing Gary but merely protecting the community.
Veteran Faces Harassment, Neighbor Arrested
Despite the denial of a restraining order, Sims was arrested on July 19 on charges of misdemeanor harassment. He insists he is being unfairly targeted, claiming, “They’re trying to make me look like a racist and I’m harassing this man. I’m the one being harassed.”
The situation at the Wave Rider Resort has sparked broader discussions about the treatment of ECHO clients in Myrtle Beach.
Ken May, director of the city’s planning and zoning department, confirmed that ECHO clients have the right to live in any unit zoned for long-term rentals.
Joey Smoak, ECHO’s CEO, noted that while such stigma is less common in other areas they serve, Myrtle Beach presents unique challenges. Some residents are even resisting the presence of formerly homeless individuals in their neighborhoods.
Gary’s unit, managed by Randy Oparowski and owned by Canadian Henry Rietveld, was assigned to him without choice. Oparowski highlighted the ongoing harassment faced by ECHO clients at the Wave Rider, particularly Gary, who has endured relentless scrutiny.
Despite the difficulties, Gary remains determined to find peace and stability in his new home, hoping for a resolution that ensures his safety and dignity.
