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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Ocean City Reverses Course On Special Events Ordinances; Enforcing Existing Laws A Major Focus

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OCEAN CITY — Just one week after introducing a pair of rather draconian ordinances, aimed at reducing the disruption associated with some of the offseason vehicle-related events in the resort, town officials this week did an abrupt about-face and moved in the direction of enforcing what is already on the books.

Ever since the spring Cruisin’ event, with its big traffic jams, crowds of often unruly and disruptive onlookers lining the streets and jamming into business parking lots and generally disorderly behavior, town officials have wrestled with ideas on how to foster a welcoming attitude for the special events while toning down some of the illicit behavior. Borne out of those debates was a pair of proposed ordinances introduced last which, if passed, would have seriously put a damper on the special events-related festivities.

One of the proposed ordinances would have expanded the Ocean City Police Department’s ability to enforce open container and public consumption of alcohol laws on certain private property including the parking lots of shopping centers, hotels and motels and restaurants, for example. One of the major issues with some of the vehicle-related special events are the crowds of onlookers who gather with coolers in the private parking areas along the highway, some merely enjoying the parade of vehicles and others egging on illicit behavior from the drivers. The belief was strengthening the public consumption and open container ordinances would curtail some of that activity.

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember commenting just last week and asking why didn't they put their expensive police force to work and enforce the existing laws. Get some of those high priced desk sergeants and lieutenants out from the office and do some real policing.

Anonymous said...

good move

Jim said...

I see the new signs will not be posted untill way after St Patty's Day parade, and event that has many people in parking lots and sidewalks drinking. Wonder how strict they will enforce that event.

Anonymous said...

If OC had the solution all along, to enforce laws and post signs, why have they waited all of this time to do something about the law breaking rowdy crowds? We will see if this "new" solution is the answer when the little "riceburner" cars come to town. I highly doubt it.

Anonymous said...

Screw OC they take the fun out of everything these days.