Not allowed to help people there: Myrtle Beach pushing nonprofit out of arts district

A nonprofit that focuses on aiding at-risk communities is being told by Myrtle Beach officials it’s not allowed to help people in its current location.

Fyrebird Recovery has been operating since last year within Horry County with its mission of evidence-based harm reduction catered toward people facing homelessness and drug addiction.

Thanks to receiving various grants, Fyrebird was able to open its first physical location in May at 606 Broadway St. in downtown Myrtle Beach. But the city’s planning and zoning director issued the organization a cease-and-desist letter on Friday.

“Upon investigation, it has been determined that Fyrebird Recovery is operating a Social Welfare Organization at this location,” the letter states, explaining that such organizations are not permitted within the arts and entertainment district, where the building is located.

Continuing to operate would constitute a violation of city zoning code and could lead to a misdemeanor charge and/or civil action, the letter adds.

‘Aggressive’ interaction from City of Myrtle Beach?

Azhane Powell, director of Fyrebird, told The Sun News that the city’s issues with her organization appeared to have stemmed from an unsubstantiated and false rumor that people were using the building to use illegal drugs.

The organization’s office, which has been closed to the public since Monday, has cameras installed and offers a safe space for people to relax in air conditioning, take a nap, use the bathroom, receive hygiene products and connect with services, including addiction recovery organizations.

Powell described an initial interaction about two weeks ago with a city zoning official that included questions about the rumor as pleasant. But that official came back a couple days later with a police escort and acted “aggressive” in trying to accuse her of operating a substance abuse treatment facility, which is also not allowed in the arts and innovation district.

Powell clarified that Fyrebird doesn’t dispense any medication, and she even agreed to stop handing out Narcan — an opioid overdose reversal treatment — on-site since the official appeared to have an issue with that, she said.

“Two days later, the director came in with a letter to shut us down, saying we’re social welfare and not permitted,” she said. “I asked what social welfare is, and he said, ‘It’s anything that benefits the community.’ So now we’re shut down from giving out socks and underwear because we’re a benefit to the community.”

Social welfare zoning

The Myrtle Beach zoning code specifies which zones within city limits allow social welfare organizations, but it does not define them. The Horry County zoning administrator had previously sent a letter to Powell deeming Fyrebird’s proposed use as office space, which would be allowed within the arts and entertainment district.

City spokesman Mark Kruea responded to a list of questions about its actions against Fyrebird only by stating that the organization is not allowed in its current zone and admitting that staff, including a police officer on at least one occasion, visited Fyrebird multiple times before issuing the cease-and-desist letter.

He would not offer the city’s definition of a social welfare organization or respond to questions about why an investigation was conducted; how the investigation was conducted; whether the city had issued any similar cease-and-desist letters this year; and why a police escort was needed.

Kate Curran, owner of Fresh Brewed Coffee House, which is also in the arts and entertainment district and often serves a similar at-risk population, said the social welfare term appears very subjective, and she’s really appreciated having Fyrebird close by as a resource for people seeking help.

Curran said she was sad and upset at the city’s treatment of Powell, but not surprised because she feels city officials operate under the assumption that the more services they offer for people facing homelessness and drug addiction, the more those people will come to Myrtle Beach.

“The people are already here,” she said. “It’s time for a change. Let’s support the people and groups like (Powell and Fyrebird) that are helping them get to a point where they can live productive lives.”

New location?

Powell said she suspects city officials are also uncomfortable that one of the items Fyrebird offers is clean insulin needles, which is part of the harm reduction strategy to support the health of people using drugs by preventing overdoses and reducing the risk of HIV and other infectious diseases.

Horry County is consistently near the top of South Carolina annually in terms of the reported number of drug overdoses, including 272 overdose deaths in 2021.

“Everything we give out, you could get at a CVS or Walmart,” Powell said. “The only difference is they charge. We offer it for free.”

Powell said she considered appealing the city’s determination to try to stay in their Broadway Street location, which is close to the population they serve, but she’d rather just quickly find a new Myrtle Beach location in a zone where social welfare organizations are allowed.

“We just want to reopen our doors to the people we serve as quickly as possible,” she said.