OCEAN CITY – With the uptick of crime in the month of June in recent years, the Ocean City Police Department went into June 2014 prepared and a Post-June Behavior Report presented this week reflected decreases mostly across the board.
According to the report, presented by Chief Ross Buzzuro, the vast majority of residents and visitors conveyed a belief that June 2014 was safe and successful in terms of public safety. Statistical data supports this assertion.
Specifically, and in direct correlation to strict enforcement and high visibility measures, the areas of calls for service, arrests, alcohol citations and collisions revealed downward trends.
Buzzuro highlighted calls for service for disorderly conduct in the month of June that came in at 1,206, which is a 19-percent decrease over the past three years; malicious destruction of property came in at 128 in June, which is a 39-percent decrease over the past three years; report of a fight came in at 53 in June, which is a 36-percent decrease over the past three years; noise complaints came in at 123 in June, which is a 31-percent decrease over the past three years; alcohol violations came in at 659 in June, which is a 30-percent decrease over the past three years; and parking complaints came in at 249 in June, which is a 37-percent decrease over the past three years. There were 5,799 total number of calls for service in June, which is a 14-percent decrease over the past three years’ average.
In the Boardwalk area of the Inlet to 27th Street, there was over 400 calls for service in June compared to 500 calls for service in that area last June, over 600 in June 2012 and over 700 in June 2011.
Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Part 1 crimes that are reported to the FBI include categories of homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. In the month of June, there were 347 UCR crimes, which is a 1-percent increase over the past three years.
‘There was not a lot of sway here or there,” Buzzuro said. “They are right about the same, so for us as we move forward we want to figure out a way to reduce this number.”
In the month of June, there were 844 arrests compared to 723 arrests last June, 1,093 in June 2012 and 1,025 arrests in June 2011.
Out of the 844 total arrests in June, 300 were drug arrests, which is a 32-percent decrease from the three previous years; 72 were DUI arrests, which is a 13 percent increase over the past three years; and 79 were weapon arrests, which is a 73 percent increase over the past three years.
“Drug arrests are down significantly but there has been a change in law that now allows for citations. If you add citations the number is consistent with years past,” Buzzuro explained.
In June 2013, 310 people were issued a drug citation in lieu of a custodial arrest. Therefore, the actual number of drug arrests for June 2013 is 565, which would move the total arrests to 1,033.
In June 2014, 250 people were issued a drug citation in lieu of a custodial arrest. Therefore, the actual number of drug arrests for June 2014 is 550, which would move the total arrests to 1,094.
Buzzuro also recognized the significant increase in weapon arrests, which is why the Town of Ocean City recently passed an ordinance outlawing assisted-opening knives to address the increase in weapon arrests.
Alcohol citations have decreased from June 2011 when there were 1,063, in June 2012 there were 967, in June 2013 there were 691 and this year in June there was 447.
“That is a pretty good indicator,” the chief said.
The total number of traffic collisions in June was 99, which is a 26 percent decrease over the past three years. There were six pedestrian collisions in June, compared to five in June 2013, 14 in June 2012 and four in June 2011. There were 10 bicycle collisions in June compared to none last year, seven in June 2012 and seven in June 2011.
“We are taking a critical look at those [bicycle collisions], such as the intersections involved, how they occurred, and what the circumstances are as we move forward into next June,” Buzzuro said.
From a professionalism standpoint, positive indicators were realized regarding complaints against officers and departmental preventable accidents.
In June, there were four complaints made against officers, which is a 64 percent decrease over the past three years. Also, there were two preventable departmental accidents, which is a 67 percent decrease over the past three years.
Mayor Rick Meehan thanked the police department for entering into the month of June prepared.
“The police force was out in full force, they were visible, have recognized the trends that were occurring and causing problems,” the mayor said. “You have put together a very solid and efficient plan. The actions took in early June set the course for the rest of the summer. The public saw it, and had confidence in the police and felt safe.”
City Manager David Recor recognized precautions were taken entering into the 2014 summer season, such as installing additional surveillance equipment on the boardwalk and implementing the City Watch program.
“I want to recognize the Special Operation Plan the chief put together and coordinated for the College Takeover event,” Recor said, which was an event that occurred in early June that is associated with rowdy crowds coming to the resort. “I was told in a staff meeting a week or so ago that we wrote the playbook, and other jurisdictions have taken note. Chief Buzzuro recently attended a gathering of police chiefs in Myrtle Beach where they have a bike related event that resulted in three murders last year. The chief, along with other resort location police chiefs and law enforcement officials, met with Myrtle Beach to help them write their own playbook. What a success that was for Ocean City to know who we compare ourselves to be looking at us as a way in how to do things.”
Buzzuro concluded, he may be the face of the police department but it is a team approach.
“There are 104 fine men and woman who stand behind me that are very dedicated and loyal to getting this job done on a 24/7 basis, and I have to acknowledge all the hard work and effort that is not only done in June but every day as we move forward. I am proud to be part of such a great organization,” he said.