Ocean City Police Department
government · active 1937–
Also known as OCPD
The town's police force. In June 1937 it consisted of Chief L. B. Cropper and the officers Edw. Powell and Nottingham, two of whom were voted a dollar a week each for the use of their own cars on town work. The same meeting agreed to an ordinance forbidding reckless driving on Baltimore and Philadelphia Avenues, and in May the Chamber of Commerce proposed police call lights along the boardwalk so that an officer could be summoned by a flashing signal operated from headquarters.
In the record (35)
1937 · 1937-06-07
Ocean City put two more men on the beach for the 1937 season
'Motion was made & carried that life Guard be increased by 2 men' - the last item of the meeting of 7 June 1937, taken with the season a fortnight off. The Beach Patrol had been seven men in August 1936. The same evening the council dealt with the rest of its public safety: Chief L. B. Cropper, Edw. Powell and Nottingham were present, and the council voted to pay Chief Cropper and Nottingham 'one dollar each a week for use of their Cars for town work'; and after discussing 'the regulation of fast driving on Balto & Phila Ave', it agreed to pass an ordinance forbidding reckless driving and instructed the solicitor to prepare it.
Ocean City Beach PatrolL. B. CropperEdmond H. JohnsonW. Thomas Elliott
Source · checked 2026-08-11
1938 · 1938-11-22
Ocean City put a plain-clothes policeman on the street at twenty dollars a week in November 1938, 'for a while'
'W. A Taylor was appointed as Plain Clothes Police for a while at 20.00 week.' Two sentences of context sit either side of it in the same year: on 12 July a letter from the Chamber of Commerce was 'referred to police for enforcement except the cleaning of Beach', and on 10 November Dr. Buhrman raised 'the need for a police signal light to be operated from the telephone Central', which was left with the secretary to price. The Ocean City Police Department dates in this campaign's record from 1937, when L. B. Cropper was chief.
Ocean City Chamber of CommerceW. A. Taylor
Source · checked 2026-08-11
1973 · 1973-01-17
Police Chief Lee Duggan and Mayor Kelley put up a $5,000 reward for the arsonist behind the winter's fires
"Resort Offering Reward Of $5000. Chief Lee Duggan of the Ocean City Police Department has announced that he and Mayor Harry W. Kelley are offering a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who were responsible for setting the recent fires in Ocean City. Chief Duggan said that all a person has to do is to call 289-5454 and ask for the duty officer. Everything they say will be kept in confidence." Front page, 17 January 1973, a week before the Nordica went.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1973 · 1973-02-09
A 17-year-old local boy was arrested on 9 February for the boardwalk fires, after two months of arson and a joint town, county and state investigation
"Suspect Nabbed On O.C. Arson. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fires that have been set in Ocean City during the past two months. Chief Lee Duggan of the Ocean City Police Dept. said that a 17 year-old juvenile was arrested Friday through cooperative efforts of the town and state police and the town, county and state fire marshall's office. The chief said that he is allegedly connected with some of the fires and is a local boy but said that he could not give out any more specific information. Further investigation is being made into the matter." Front page, Wednesday 14 February 1973; the Friday is 9 February.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1977 · 1977-09-19
In September 1977 Mayor Kelley read a statement against State's Attorney John L. Sanford, who had summonsed 23 Ocean City police officers over a shotgun case and called them Keystone Cops, and said a thirty-year friendship had gone down the drain
Mayor Kelley, 19 September 1977: "I've had a full week since the polarized attack on the Police Department, and I'll read portions of my statement ... the Mayor is responsible for this Police Department, wholly, solely, for the people of this City ... that's a lifelong friendship, Mr. Sanford and myself, 30 years, and it's gone down the drain." The statement: "It is, in my opinion, an obvious and clear conflict of interest for John L. Sanford to threaten to act against those members of the Ocean City Police Department, who are his accusers in the Tyler matters ... In August, after the State's Attorney had issued summonses to 23 of the officers, four of whom were not involved in the case (one of those not even being in the State when the incident occurred), the Police Department ... by letter requested a conference with him. In his response he replied that he did not believe that a conference was essential." The case began with a woman's assault complaint, an unarmed officer taking cover under a car, and three officers who swore a shotgun was aimed at their stomachs; the assault charge failed because they had not drawn their guns and so, the court reasoned, were not in fear. Sanford had said "The Chief arrived with his newly acquired, imported deputy and the rest of his Keystone Cops"; Kelley read out Major Donovan's forty-one courses and two silver-star commendations. The council was invited to take a position "either pro or con"; the Fraternal Order of Police had sent statements of support and the mayor expressed "the City's official appreciation."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1983 · 1983-08-01
A request to keep a python in a 5th Street apartment died when the applicant failed to appear, and the council sent the police chief to evict the snake personally
On the 1 August 1983 agenda: "Approval to shelter a python snake in a residence on 5th Street, presented by John Anderson." No one came forward. Councilman Ellis: "The snake must have ate him." President Trimper: "The snake got him. (LAUGHTER). Well, moving right along, the snake wins again." Councilman Duggan established from the city manager that the snake was already in town, said the request "has always been voted down," and moved that the ordinance be enforced. Fire Marshal Lankford explained that one of his inspectors "walks into a snake" in a building and "wouldn't go back into the apartment." Trimper: "All right, who gets the honor of evicting the snake?" City Manager Barrett: "The Police Chief will take care of it tomorrow." Duggan: "Is he going to delegate that or handle it himself?" Barrett: "I think that is something he personally ought to handle."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1987 · 1987-02-02
A police officer brought the council petitions with close to 1,800 signatures asking to strike the charter clause that forbade collective bargaining
Officer Bill Jones of the Ocean City Police Department presented the petitions: "What the petitions hope to do is bring the question to a referendum vote and would remove wording from the Town Charter prohibiting collective bargaining … The Council shall provide by law a labor code for Ocean City employees … Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize a strike by any employee(s) engaged in duties directly affecting the public safety." The clause he sought to delete, Section C-1005(b), read that "No union, association, club, etc., or other collective bargaining organization shall be recognized as a bargaining agent."
Source · checked 2026-09-02
1989 · 1989-02-06
On the police department's awards night two civilians, David Jenkins and William A. Post III, received Citizenship Awards for reviving a person found unconscious face down in a swimming pool
Chief Lee Duggan handed out the department's 1988 awards at the regular meeting of 6 February 1989. "It's not too often that we get to honor the citizen," he said, "but we had a person that was unconscious face down in a swimming pool and these two gentlemen assisted and brought that person back and today they're doing well. A Citizenship Award to Mr. David Jenkins... Mr. William A. Post, III." The same night carried commendation ribbons to the officers who "cleared $100,000 jewel theft", to Sergeant Kirstein and Officers Braeuninger and Brannock for alerting people at the Beachcomber fire ("their actions, I am certain, stopped more injuries and certainly prevented more deaths"), a unit citation for an arrest within the hour after a shooting near the Boardwalk, and the Civilian Employee of the Year to dispatcher Janet Guiton. Duggan explained that the old $1,000 outstanding-officer award, which "the detectives" always seemed to win, had been split the year before into thirds: a Citizen Award, a Uniform Officer of the Year and an Investigator of the Year.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1989 · 1989-04-03
The mounted patrol, approved on a one-year trial, had already been photographed "at least 25,000" times by April, and the council wrote into its general order that the horses could be sent to noise and disorderly areas
Taking up Police General Order 400 C-2 on the mounted patrol at the regular meeting of 3 April 1989, President Hurley said the horses "have been out many times and I understand they're quite popular... in fact Mr. Evans told me he's had at least 25,000 pictures taken of him and that's good." But "the mounted police at this particular time, is an experimental thing. You may recall that we voted and approved it unanimously on a one-year probation period and it's nice that it's already very valuable as PR but I'm sure we did not vote just to expend that money for PR purposes." He and the Mayor had promised "irate citizens in problem noise areas around Town" the horses would be used there, and wanted "some tool whereby I can say to the Chief, 'Chief, we need horses at 28th Street for the next three nights.'" Councilman Hall's motion to add item H under section 30 - that the mounted patrol "could be used in disorderly areas to include noise complaints" - passed unanimously; the Mayor said the horses "were out today."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1990 · 1990-10-18
The F.O.P.'s collective-bargaining charter amendment, put on the October ballot by the council itself after the petition fell short at 15 per cent of the voters, was defeated 1,202 to 811
The 18 October 1990 organizational meeting closed the count: "And the charter amendment referendum: For - 811; Against - 1202." The route to the ballot is in the summer minutes. On 16 July the Board of Election Supervisors reported the F.O.P. petition's valid signatures "represented 15% of the registered voters" against the 20 per cent required, and the council accepted the finding unanimously. At the special session of 24 July the council nonetheless moved to put the question on the ballot with the technical defects corrected - Councilman Gisriel: "I presume the ballot question will in essence be the same questions you put on the petition but the technical problems with it will be addressed" - City Solicitor Ayres warning that as drafted "the Mayor here would enter into binding arbitration, but the Mayor in Ocean City doesn't have the power to bind the Council to appropriate money", that a charter petition should cover one subject, and that it "confers a special status onto the Police Department." Councilman Hall: "If this passes by the voters, if they vote in favor of it, this will be binding." Ayres: "If it passes, it becomes law." On 1 October the council voted 6-1 to spend money answering the F.O.P.'s advertising, Steckman saying "because some of the ads are misleading, the public should get real facts", and on 15 October Rudy DiDio read a letter "voicing his disappointment on the Mayor and Council's anti-charter referendum position." Mayor Powell recalled on 17 September that collective bargaining had been on the ballot once before "and it was defeated."
Ocean City Lodge No. 10, Fraternal Order of PoliceVincent Gisriel Jr.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1992 · 1992-10-05
After Hurricane Andrew the town's Disaster Relief Committee adopted the small town of Franklin, Louisiana, whose last working police car had died, and the council pulled cruisers 872 and 875 from the surplus sale to give them away
Pat Anthony of the Ocean City Disaster Relief Committee told the 8 September 1992 session that "Several employees including Mayor Powell were to leave the following day with various pieces of equipment, money, and donations" for Hurricane Andrew victims. On 5 October, "Clay Stamp apprised the Council of what the Disaster Relief Committee has accomplished to date. He stated that the committee has been in touch with the small town of Franklin, Louisiana, whom they have designated as the target of future efforts. At the last work session Mayor Powell reported that Franklin's last working police car had expired and requested that a vehicle or two from the surplus sale list be removed and donated. Councilman Gisriel moved to accept the recommendation of the committee and adopt Franklin, LA, for future concentrated relief ... The vote was unanimous." Ordinance 1992-28 to sell surplus property then passed "subject to the deletion of police cruisers 872 and 875 which are being donated to Franklin, LA." Committee members were "flying to Franklin next week, at their own expense, to present a check and any accumulated building materials."
Roland E. "Fish" PowellVincent Gisriel Jr.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1996 · 1996-04-15
Two police officers received the department's Silver Star, an award "only presented a handful of times", for carrying an 86-year-old woman out of a burning house at 107 Talbot Street in February
Chief David Massey at the regular meeting of 15 April 1996, reading from a 26 February letter from Fire Marshal Sam Villani: "In the early morning of February 22nd of this year, the fire was reported at 107 Talbot Street. The fire involved an occupied, two-story, wooden structure ... PFC Brett Case was working in the area, arrived on the scene, and observed heavy smoke coming from the structure. He then heard a cry for help coming from the second floor ... Disregarding his own personal safety, PFC Case proceeded into the smoking building to the second floor, covering his face with his coat to fend off the smoke." Officers Albert Custer and James Schultz and volunteer firefighter Michael Myer searched the building; "PFC Case located an 86-year-old female occupant on the second floor and picked her up. And with the assistance of Officer Custer, carried her down to safety. Had it not been for the heroic actions of all four of these public safety personnel, there would have been in all probability a fatal tragedy that night." Lieutenant Myer of the volunteer fire company received the police department's Certificate of Appreciation, Schultz an Excellent Police Performance Award, and Case and Custer "the Police Department's highest award, the Silver Star ... which has only been presented a handful of times". The same evening the Edgewater/St. Louis Avenue Neighborhood Watch gave its own awards to Officers Scott Kirkpatrick, Kevin Healy, Monica Skarpac and Sergeant Bernadette DiPino.
Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1998 · 1998-09-21
A run of bank robberies in and around Ocean City ended when two maintenance workers at Our Place at the Beach found a note they thought the robber had used, the fingerprints matched, and the mayor gave them and the managers Keys to the City
At the regular session of 21 September 1998 (Regular Session #18): "Chief Massey commented on the multiple bank robberies that took place in Ocean City and surrounding areas this year and stated from the very beginning his department felt it was the same person. After the last robbery on September 3rd, some maintenance people working at Our Place at the Beach found a note they felt was used by the robber, turned it over to police, whereupon a successful fingerprint match led to an arrest. Chief Massey presented Certificates of Appreciation to Tim and Ralph Wooten, the maintenance workers, and to Jeff and Marcella Hansen, the managers of Our Place at the Beach, and thanked them for becoming involved. Mayor Mathias also thanked them on behalf of the members of the Council and the community and presented each of them with Keys to the City." The Bronze Star, "the Police Department' s second highest award", went to Detective William Cocco, Evidence Technician Clint Chamberlain, Detective Scott Bernal, Sgt. Glenn Hager and Lt. Kevin Kirstein.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
1998 · 1998-12-21
The mayor proclaimed the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company's Firefighter Combat Challenge team for its win at Kissimmee, Florida, in November, on the same night the police chief laid out the department's year of awards including the National Police Shooting Championships
At the regular session of 21 December 1998 (Regular Session #25): "Mayor Mathias presented a proclamation to the members of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Firefighter Combat Challenge Team in recognition of their winning efforts in Kissimmee, Florida, this past November." Before it, "Police Chief David Massey addressed awards recently received by members of the Ocean City Police Department ... the 1998 Chief' s Challenge Award for seat belt compliance; the R. A. A. M. Program Award in recognition for coordinated efforts with the local alcoholic beverage industry; the National Police Shooting Championships Awards recently held in Jackson, Mississippi; the Governor' s Certificate of Merit for an outstanding crime prevention program, known locally as L. E. A. D. ( Law Enforcement Against Domestic Violence); and the Governor' s Crime Prevention Award in Excellence for 1998." Earlier in the year, on 21 September, the mayor had congratulated Fire Chief Roger Steger on his coming presidency of the Maryland State Firemen's Association and "paid tribute to his father who yesterday had been sworn into the Firemen' s Hall of Fame."
Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2000 · 2000-04-17
Ocean City police replaced their Beretta service pistols with 105 .40-calibre Sig Arms in 2000 at $43,115 less $21,000 in trade-ins, after a motion to buy the old guns outright and melt them down lost 3-4 on the day Maryland's gun-lock law was signed
The Police Commission of 11 April 2000, meeting at the Public Safety Building, heard that "line officers are not comfortable using the Beretta as failures have been experienced" and that CID could not conceal the weapon; the recommendation was "a 40 mm Sig Arms which is available in 2 sizes to suit CID's needs. The cost of 105 of these weapons is $43,115, with a $200 trade-in allowance for each existing weapon of $21,000, there will be a balance of $22,115 due." Council Member Fitzsimmons "would like to see the City support Smith and Wesson due to the gun legislation which is being signed today"; the commission approved 3-1 with her opposed, with $8,600 from drug forfeiture to start. At the regular meeting of 17 April, "Councilman Steckman placed a subsidiary motion to provide funding by means of a budget amendment to cover the purchase so that the guns could be melted down; seconded by Council Member Fitzsimmons. The vote was 3-4 with Council Members Meehan, Hall, Duggan, and Gisriel opposed." Steckman's second motion - that the department negotiate with Sig Arms so that the traded weapons are sold only to police agencies, and that the town repurchase any that cannot be - passed 6-1, as did the main motion, Fitzsimmons opposed both times. The bid went to Firing Line, Inc. on 19 June: Sig Arms Model 2340 at $389 each, Model 239 at $485, Safariland holsters at $87.95.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2001 · 2001-07-04
The Mayor and Council met at 11 a.m. on the Fourth of July 2001 and, by unanimous emergency ordinance effective that day, made the town's alcohol-free dance clubs close at 2:30 a.m. after police described after-hours crowds mixing with drunks leaving the bars, ecstasy dealers arriving from out of state, and crack laid out in a cup holder
President Meehan opened the special session: "I know the 4th of July is not the most opportune time to meet, but we felt, based on the circumstances, it was necessary that we do so." City Solicitor Ayres explained that the dance clubs, "because of the expanded hours now going until 5 and 6 o'clock into the morning," were "mixing people who have consumed alcoholic beverages, many of whom are intoxicated, who are leaving the bars and nightclubs at the required closing time of 2:30," with "certain criminal elements" driving "two even three hours" to arrive at 2:30 or 3 a.m. Chief Massey asked to amend the moratorium Ordinance 2001-10, which had set no hours: the after-hours clubs had generated "about 188" police reports and "about 160 arrests." Det. Sgt. Lee Fisher of the Maryland State Police said a "core group of ecstasy investigators" had put undercover officers in the clubs since Memorial Day and watched known distributors from elsewhere in Maryland and Delaware "roll in" at the 45th Street Village around 2 a.m. An Ocean City sergeant told the council that "probably 50% of the individuals we arrest have some type of controlled dangerous substance on them" and that the week before "there were 20-25 rocks of crack cocaine laying in a cup holder in plain view." Councilman Jim Hall moved the hours - "No person shall operate a dance club during any hours other than 4:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. of the following day" - and the council passed it unanimously, Gisriel absent, then voted unanimously to ask the mayor to sign it as an emergency ordinance, "effective today," with copies delivered to every affected club.
Maryland State PoliceRick MeehanGuy R. Ayres III
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2009 · 2009-07-06
The town received $200,000 from the estate of Virginia Murray, to be spent only on buying and training the police department's horses
Under items from the City Manager at the regular meeting of 6 July 2009: "City Manager Dare advise[d] that the Town received $200,000.00 from the Estate of Virginia Murray to be used for the acquisition and training of the OCPD equestrian unit." No motion was taken; the gift is recorded as a report. The mounted unit had been a fixture of the boardwalk and the summer crowds; the bequest arrived in the fiscal year the city manager's budget message described as one of "26 employee vacancies" with no cost-of-living or step increases for anyone.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2010 · 2010-09-07
A boardwalk street performer who worked as the 'Soldier Statue' introduced himself to the council and said he spent forty-five minutes a day defending himself to the police
Under Comments from Citizens at the regular session of 7 September 2010: "Aaron Clayson introduced himself to the Council. He said he is the 'Soldier Statue' on the Boardwalk. He said he spent 45 minutes a day defending himself to the police." The minutes record no reply. It is the only appearance of a boardwalk street performer in the 2010 minutes.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2011 · 2011-07-26
The police chief reported in July 2011 that scooter collisions were up 46 percent and that most rented scoot coupes had motors over the legal 50cc, and the council bought her a device to measure engine size
Police Chief Update, work session of 26 July 2011, item 4: "Item #2: Chief DiPino advised that scooter-related collisions are up 46%. She said, all scoot coupe rentals are require drivers to don helmets and shoes are. Also, she recommended that all scoot coupe drivers remain in the far right bus lane, and, to make rights at all intersections then use the light to make a left turn. Item #3: Chief DiPino reported that most scoot coupe rental businesses are in violation of the 50cc Rule and enforcement has become a priority. She requested permission to purchase a device that measures engine size. Council Member Cymek moved to approve; seconded by Council Member Knight. The vote is 4-2 with Council Members Joe Hall and Brent Ashley opposed and Council Secretary Lloyd Martin absent." On 9 August Lieutenant Scott Harner told the council that "most, if not all, scoot coupes in operation are manufactured with motors that exceed the State's legal limit of 50cc's" and asked for an ordinance letting the department "inspect, regulate and enforce scoot coupe rentals"; on 1 November the chief "assured the Council that the Police Department is working on stricter enforcement of the 50cc Scoot Coupe Law." The three-wheeled rentals had been on the work-session agenda since 2 May, when Reese Cropper presented a "Discussion of Scoot Coupes."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2011 · 2011-11-01
State Senator Jim Mathias and Delegate Mike McDermott came to the council chamber in November 2011 to present commendations to five retiring Ocean City police officers, whose outdated pistols were then sold to serving officers at $250 apiece
Work session of 1 November 2011, item 2: "Mayor/Interim City Manager Rick Meehan, Maryland State Senator Jim Mathias, Maryland State Delegate Mike McDermott and Police Chief Bernadette DiPino presented commendations to Ocean City Police Officer Retirees Victor Bunting, Robert Noll, Charles Bean Jr., Brasure Lynch and Barry Neeb." Item 3 followed directly: "Chief Bernadette DiPino requested permission to: (1) sell outdated pistols @ $250.00 a piece to patrol officers within the Department; and (2) use the proceeds of this sale to purchase new weapons for incoming officers. She explained that traditionally, the Department allows retirees to keep their weapons as retirement gifts." Bunting, as a captain, had asked the council on 14 June for legislation letting the department review criminal histories of taxi and tow drivers. Mathias is the same senator the council had voted on 11 January to ask, by letter from the mayor, "to re-district Ocean City to the Baltimore Sector rather than the Hampton Roads Sector (for future federal port protection grant opportunities)."
James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.Rick Meehan
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2011 · 2011-11-21
The estate of Virginia Murray, who had named the police department's mounted unit in her will, had paid the town $378,893 by November 2011
Under the City Solicitor's items at Regular Session #21, 21 November 2011: "City Solicitor Guy Ayres reported that the Town received another check, in the amount of $27,416.85, from the Estate of Virgina Murray, who named the Ocean City Police Department Equestrian Unit. He said the total amount paid to the Town, including payments from her Charitable Trust, is $378,893.00." The minutes spell the name Virgina. That December Jerry Greenspan brought the council the Downtown Association's boardwalk-safety requests, among them to "increase patrol and spread out the mounted police patrol."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2012 · 2012-01-03
Police Captain Robert Bokinsky was given a Proclamation of Commendation and a Key to the City for 31.5 years of service at the first meeting of 2012
Under Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council on 3 January 2012: "Mayor /Interim City Manager Rick Meehan, accompanied by Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino, presented Captain Robert Bokinsky with a Proclamation of Commendation and a Key to the City for his 31.5 years of service to the Town." The Key to the City was the town's standard retirement gift that year: it went to retiree Janice Cropper on 6 February, to Sergeant Gary Holtzman on 14 February, to Lieutenant Richard Currence (34 years) and PFC Douglas Hunt (24 years) on 13 March, and to Thomas Collins for eight years as Tow Hearing Officer on 16 July.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2012 · 2012-12-17
The last meeting of 2012 recognized the retirement of Police Chief Bernadette DiPino after 25 years of service, and a council member pledged $250 of his own toward the county senior center's lunches
Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council, regular session #24 of 17 December 2012: "Council Member Joe Mitrecic recognized retiring Police Chief Bernadette DiPino's 25 years of service." DiPino had presided over the year's police retirements herself, issuing retirement badges to Lieutenant Currence and PFC Hunt in March. Comments from Citizens the same night: "Alvin Wendling requested that the Town provide financial assistance to the Worcester County Senior Center Meal plan. Council Member Doug Cymek personally pledged $250.00 toward daily lunches. Secondly, Mr. Wendling announced his candidacy as Mayor in the 2014 Municipal Election." Council Member Mitrecic "recognized the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy" of three days earlier, and Council Secretary Knight reminded the room of the Mayor's New Year's Day open house and the New Year's Eve fireworks at Northside Park.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2013 · 2013-07-01
Two Ocean City police officers, Thomas Geoghegan Jr. and Joshua Adickes, died in a plane crash off the coast on 30 June 2013, and the mayor opened the next night's meeting by acknowledging them
Regular session of 1 July 2013, Prayer and Pledge: "Mayor Rick Meehan acknowledged the loss of fallen Ocean City Police Officers Thomas Geoghegan, Jr. and Joshua Adickes who passed away in a plane crash off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland on June 30, 2013. Beach Patrol Lieutenant Ward Kovacs led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance." The same meeting saw Mayor Meehan swear in the new Police Chief, Ross Buzzuro. Geoghegan appears in the OCPD 2012 Year-End Report, presented to the council on 29 January 2013, among the Bronze Star recipients: "CPL Charles Kelley, DET Thomas Geoghegan."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2015 · 2015-04-15
The county health officer told the Police Commission that rabies was endemic in Worcester County, that most cases came from cats, and that every untraced bite cost $6,500 in treatment - after which the council set aside $4,500 to trap, neuter, vaccinate and release Ocean City's feral cats
Police Commission minutes of 15 April 2015, attached to the regular meeting minutes of 4 May 2015: "Andrea Mathias, MD, Janet Tull, R.S. and Angela Richardson of the Worcester County Health Department joined the meeting to discuss the issue of feral cats ... In Worcester County, rabies is endemic and sometimes it has even been the highest in the State of Maryland. She explained that many municipalities are reviewing their animal control ordinances because they are finding that their ordinances do not cover cats in the same fashion as dogs and yet, most rabies cases are from cats, not dogs ... for every rabid cat, an average of 6 people will be treated. If a human is attacked by a feral cat and the cat is not caught, that person (and others) will be treated for rabies as a precautionary factor, the cost is $6500 per treatment. If there is no owner of the animal, then the Health Department must pay for the treatment, which means it is paid for by taxpayers." The Police Commission of 11 May (attached to the 18 May minutes) recorded that "City Council has set aside $4500 to be placed in the Animal Control budget to fund spay and neutering of feral cats" and adopted a proposal for "Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate and Release (TNVR) for cats trapped within the limits of the Town of Ocean City." Three cat groups - the Community Cats Coalition, Town Cats and the Delmarva Cat Connection - had presented to the council on 31 March.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2016 · 2016-03-15
The mayor closed a March work session by recording the death of Jim "Big Bake" Baker, a former captain of the Ocean City police, as the passing of "an Ocean City icon"
At the end of the work session of 15 March 2016, before the council reconvened into closed session, the clerk wrote: "Mayor Meehan thanked everyone for their participation and help with the very successful St. Patrick's Day Parade and recognized the passing of an Ocean City icon, Jim 'Big Bake' Baker, former captain of the OCPD." The parade had been held the Saturday before, 12 March, and broadcast live for the first time by WRDE in partnership with the Delmarva Irish American Club (acknowledged at the 16 February meeting). The minutes give no date of death and no age.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2016 · 2016-05-16
Ocean City detectives worked the crowd in plain clothes when presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared at Stephen Decatur High School, and made the town's only Taser-report arrest of April on a man carrying a stun gun
The Department Activity Report filed with the 16 May 2016 regular meeting records that "Members of the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), Intelligence Unit and Narcotics/Vice Unit assisted the Worcester County Sheriff's Office/Maryland State Police during the recent appearance of presidential candidate Donald Trump at Stephen Decatur High School. SEU and Narcotics Detectives deployed in plain clothes to monitor crowds that had gathered outside of the venue. One arrest was made by a SEU Detective in reference to a suspect who was assaulting another subject with a stun gun." The Police Commission minutes of 9 May 2016, in the same packet, carry the other half: Chief Buzzuro's CEW (Taser) report for April showed "only one incident which occurred after the Trump Rally concluded at Stephen Decatur High School. The suspect himself had a stun gun. An OCPD officer targeted the suspect and gained full compliance with no injuries to either suspect or officer." Electronic Services listed "Trump Visit" alongside the City Clean-Up and the marathon among the special events it issued loaner radios for. The school is in Berlin, outside the town; the record is of Ocean City's police lending themselves to it.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2017 · 2017-10-02
After the H2Oi car weekend the council agreed unanimously to "discourage and displace" the event, legal action against its promoters and sponsors included, and by November the Police Commission's action plan ran from a special-event zone with doubled fines to asking the governor for the National Guard on standby
Under Comments from the Mayor and City Council at the regular meeting of 2 October 2017: "Mayor and Council thanked Ocean City Police Department, Firefighters/EMT's and allied agencies for their tireless efforts and assistance this past weekend. Mayor and Council unanimously agree that they, in collaboration with business owners and residents, need to share ideas and determine best solutions to discourage and displace the H2Oi event, including taking legal action against promoters and sponsors." At the Police Commission of 13 October Chief Buzzuro reported "a 37.4% increase in Officer CFS in September 2017" - calls for service - "influenced by Saturday of H20I being in September, where in 2016, it was in October," with "traffic stops ... up by over 300 and city ordinance violations ... up by close to 400." On 16 October Council President Martin "stated main goal is to make Ocean City a family resort with family friendly events." The "Ocean City Motor Events Action Plan" filed with the Police Commission report of 6 November opens: "Certain motor event attendees are violating our values and changing our long held reputation as a family resort. Immediate action is required to reverse this undesired trend of lawlessness, civil disobedience and disrespect for our town." Its suggestions include: "Request Promoter(s) to cancel or move event off Eastern Shore"; "Take legal action against Promoter to recover increased event costs"; "Request Governor to have National Guard on standby"; "Doubling of fines in a 'Special Event Zone', e.g. Work Zone"; "Spinning out in confined areas a felony reckless endangerment"; a curfew; temporary speed humps; businesses to "Close early (9 pm)"; and, as replacement events, "Youth Sports Tournaments, Pickle Ball Championship, Senior Citizen Olympics."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2018 · 2018-11-13
Police dog Koda, a German Shepherd from Slovakia, was retired at the 13 November 2018 work session after seven years, 626 deployments and credit for more than 100 arrests
Acknowledgements and Recognitions, work session of 13 November 2018: "Mayor Meehan and Corporal Michael Kelly recognized Police K-9 Koda for 7 years of service with the Ocean City Police Department." The police chief's memo of 6 November: "K-9 Koda is a 7 year old (that's 49 in human years) German Shepherd from Slovakia. Cpl. Michael Kelly first met Koda in February 2012 ... Over nearly 7 years on the road, Koda was deployed and assisted 626 times. Koda was responsible for thousands of dollars seized and forfeited. He was given credit for over 100 arrests and helped make 6 apprehensions ... He did all this with just one thing focused on his mind, his toy! Koda enjoys running on the beach, barking at cats and chewing his Kong toy. He turns 8 in January and is happy enjoying a life of rest at home with Cpl. Kelly's family."
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2020 · 2020-02-18
The suspect in the theft of a nativity 'Baby Jesus' statue was picked up on a drugs charge in January 2020 and confessed to the theft as well
The Police Department's monthly report for January 2020, filed in the packet for the regular meeting of 18 February 2020, lists among the Special Enforcement Unit's work: "Theft of the 'Baby Jesus' statue suspect arrested for CDS. Conducted interview with suspect and received confession for Theft and CDS case." It sits between "Detectives conducted curfew checks of subjects ordered to the Worcester County Drug Court program" and "Two detectives attended surveillance training"; the unit closed the month with "9 Arrests / 18 - Patrol/C.I.D. Assists." The minutes do not say whose nativity scene it was.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2021 · 2021-05-02
A motorist jumped 25 to 35 feet from the Route 90 bridge into the Assawoman Bay to pull a face-down infant from the water after a five-car crash, and the council gave his family and the family of the boat that picked them up Keys to the City
The fire and police chiefs' incident narrative, attached to the 16 August 2021 regular meeting, records that "At 1447 hours on May 2, 2021, a serious vehicle collision occurred on the Route 90 Bridge" - "a mass casualty incident (MCI) that involved 5 vehicles and a total of 8 victims" - with one vehicle "dangling on the bridge railing over the Assawoman Bay." Jonathan D. Bauer, whose own car had been struck, was pointed at the water by an occupant with whom he shared no language: "Jonathan looked over the bridge and noticed an infant in a baby seat floating in the water ... The baby was now face down in the water." He told his 13-year-old daughter Ava to stay at the car, took off his shoes, "jumped over the bridge railing and descended some 25-35 feet" into about four feet of cold water, swam to the baby, and tapped her back until "she coughed up some more water and opened her eyes." Alayna Oertel, on a family pontoon boat, saw the jump, had her father run the boat over and readied life vests; the Oertels carried the pair to a boat ramp where paramedics were waiting, and the infant was flown by State Police Medevac to a children's trauma center. Under Items Presented by the Mayor and City Council on 16 August: "Fire Chief Bowers and Police Chief Buzzuro presented a summary of the May 2, 2021, Rt. 90 Bridge mass casualty incident, recognizing heroic efforts of civilians, OC 911 Dispatchers, OC Volunteer/Career Fire Department, OCPD and mutual aid units ... Mayor Meehan presented the Oertel family and Bauer family with a Key to the City."
Ocean City Volunteer Fire DepartmentRick MeehanRoss C. Buzzuro
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2021 · 2021-06-01
Citing Uber and Lyft, the council cut the taxi medallion fee from $250 to $50 and the medallion transfer fee from $1,000 to $100
Standing Committee Report, work session of 1 June 2021: "Police Chief Ross Buzzuro reviewed the May 17 Police Commission Minutes. Based on negative impacts to the taxi industry because of transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft, the Commission recommended a taxi medallion fee reduction, currently $250, and a taxi medallion transfer fee reduction, currently $1,000." The motion "to reduce the taxi medallion fee to $50.00 and the taxi medallion transfer fee to $100" was approved unanimously. Ordinance 2021-15, adopted 6 July, moved vehicle-for-hire fees out of the Code so that they "will now be set by resolution," and Resolution 2021-11 establishing the new taxicab fees was adopted the same night. On 5 April the council had approved the transfer of Taxi Medallion #152 on consent.
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2022 · 2022-02-14
The late-January nor'easter Kenan cancelled one of the police department's seasonal-officer testing weekends, in a year when applicants had already fallen from nearly 200 to 75
Police Commission minutes of 14 February 2022, carried in the packet for the 22 February regular meeting, Chief Buzzuro's seasonal recruiting update: "Remain challenged with recruitment. We have 75 new season officer applicants, where there were almost 200 in 2021 ... OCPD has now held 5 testing weekends with 2 testing dates remaining. A previously scheduled testing weekend had to be canceled because of Winter Storm Kenan." The chief's written report in the same packet has it as "January 29-30 testing was cancelled due to the nor'easter Kenan. Added another test date for March 5-6, 2022." The storm is the only weather event named in the year's council record.
Source · checked 2026-09-10
2023 · 2023-03-23
The City Manager opened the FY24 budget by reporting that seasonal police officers had dropped from over 100 to fewer than 40 and part-time firefighter/EMTs from 80 to 40, so the town would hire twelve full-time firefighters and four full-time officers instead
City Manager Terry McGean's budget introduction at the budget meeting of 23 March 2023: "The greatest challenge faced over the past 24 months has been the decreasing availability of part time employees. Different strategies were implemented to address this including increased pay, signing bonuses, retention bonuses, referral bonuses and housing stipends. Seasonal police officers dropped from over 100 to less than 40 last year. The amount of available part time Firefighter/EMT dropped from 80 to 40. Shortages have led to dramatic increases in overtime pay. For Police and Emergency Medical Services, we have no choice but to continue to transition from a seasonal to a more year-round work force." The budget carried "8 new fulltime Firefighter/EMS positions, enough to deploy an additional two-man ambulance crew 24/7 year round" and "4 new fulltime police officers to make up for the drop in seasonal availability," funded by "additional revenue of $478,005 from assessments increases above constant yield." At the wrap-up on 30 March the council added the other four firefighters: "Motion to approve funding of 4 additional fulltime Fire/EMT positions," approved unanimously, the $104,473 to be covered by expected Medicaid reimbursement. The Communications division likewise asked for four full-time 911 specialists, which "completes the transition to all fulltime staff and eliminates the seasonal program."
Source · checked 2026-09-11
2025 · 2025-04-29
Police K-9 Smoke was recognised on retirement after seven years of service at the work session of 29 April 2025, and the new chief introduced his successor, K-9 Cido
The work session of 29 April 2025 opened, after a closed session on the sports-complex site, with a retirement in the Acknowledgements and Recognitions slot usually kept for people: "Retirement Recognition of Police K-9 Smoke. Police Chief Austin recognized Police K-9 Smoke on retirement after 7 years of service and introduced Police K-9 Cido." It was Raymond Austin's first appearance in the minutes as chief, a week before he took the oath on 5 May; he had been offered the post 8-0 in closed session on 8 April.
Source · checked 2026-09-11