(June 8, 2017) In addition to an extensive presentation by interim General Manager Brett Hill, Ocean Pines department heads gave reports during a roughly 90-minute town hall meeting Monday at Mumford’s Landing.
Police Chief David Massey touted the low crime rate in what is the largest population center in the county. He said Forbes recently sited Ocean Pines as one of the top-25 retirement communities in the United States, in large part because of the low crime rates, and said the National Council for Home Safety and Security named the community as the safest in Maryland, based on “serious crimes” per capita.
“We take pride in that,” Massey said. “We take pride in keeping our community safe. We take pride in working for you. And our board of directors and our general manager has been very supportive of the police department.”
Massey noted that opioid abuse is on the rise, as it is in “every community in the United States of America.” He said there were 10 heroin-related deaths during the last two years.
To combat the apparent nationwide epidemic, Massey said police in Ocean Pines were among the first to receive training to administer Naloxone, a drug that can reverse the symptoms of opioid overdose. At least four people were saved because of that training, he said.
So far, he said only one overdose death was recorded in 2017.
“I wish we had zero,” Massey said. “[Overdoses are] very sporadic. We can go weeks with nothing and, as we had recently, we had four in one day. It is an issue of families. It’s an issue that is bedeviling every police agency and every public health organization in the United States, and we’re working very hard to address it.”
Massey said other types of crime in the community are much easier to prevent. For example, he said one year more than 100 vehicle break-ins with theft were reported, and in each case the car or truck had been left unlocked.
“We’ve also had people that leave their houses unlocked. Well, it’s not the 1950s or ’60s where everyone knows everybody’s neighbor and everybody looks out for one another,” he said. “Basic crime prevention could reduce our crime rate even more.”
He said the upcoming expansion of police facilities is something he’s “wished for since 2006.”
“I feel blessed working in this community, because law enforcement is appreciated,” Massey said. “It’s a great place to work, we’re proud to serve you and we’re going to work hard to keep this a very safe community.”
Aquatics Director Colby Phillips spoke about several programs, including the junior lifeguard courses that have led to the certification of nearly 400 children in safety procedures. Many of the participants have helped to staff special events and this year, she said, the department hired the first junior lifeguard graduate, a 15-year-old named Patrick.
“Learn to Swim Like a Mermaid” events are held every Saturday and dive-in movies continue to be popular, Phillips said. A screening of “Jaws” will be held at the beach club on July 14.
On June 24, aquatics will host a “Cinderella” tea party for children at the sports core pool, which will include photo opportunities with Cinderella herself. Phillips added that private parties are offered at the beach club and Mumford’s Landing pools.
Phillips also oversees recreation and parks and said summer camps there already have a waiting list. Free concerts and movies in the park are planned throughout the summer, and family fun nights will return to the Oasis pool on June 21.
Golf Director John Malinowski said good conditions at the golf course and new, lower rates are helping to boost rounds. He said the course is in the best condition it’s been in at least five years and that online reviews are strong.
On the website Golf Advisor, he said, 100 percent of reviewers have recommended the course during the last six months. Over the last 12 months more than 97 percent have recommended it.
Food and Beverage Director Brian Townsend raved about renovations at the beach club, Tern Grille and Mumford’s Landing, all operations that he oversees. He said a Father’s Day event is planned at the beach club in Ocean City.
“We’re looking forward to having a great season,” Townsend said.
Police Chief David Massey touted the low crime rate in what is the largest population center in the county. He said Forbes recently sited Ocean Pines as one of the top-25 retirement communities in the United States, in large part because of the low crime rates, and said the National Council for Home Safety and Security named the community as the safest in Maryland, based on “serious crimes” per capita.
“We take pride in that,” Massey said. “We take pride in keeping our community safe. We take pride in working for you. And our board of directors and our general manager has been very supportive of the police department.”
Massey noted that opioid abuse is on the rise, as it is in “every community in the United States of America.” He said there were 10 heroin-related deaths during the last two years.
To combat the apparent nationwide epidemic, Massey said police in Ocean Pines were among the first to receive training to administer Naloxone, a drug that can reverse the symptoms of opioid overdose. At least four people were saved because of that training, he said.
So far, he said only one overdose death was recorded in 2017.
“I wish we had zero,” Massey said. “[Overdoses are] very sporadic. We can go weeks with nothing and, as we had recently, we had four in one day. It is an issue of families. It’s an issue that is bedeviling every police agency and every public health organization in the United States, and we’re working very hard to address it.”
Massey said other types of crime in the community are much easier to prevent. For example, he said one year more than 100 vehicle break-ins with theft were reported, and in each case the car or truck had been left unlocked.
“We’ve also had people that leave their houses unlocked. Well, it’s not the 1950s or ’60s where everyone knows everybody’s neighbor and everybody looks out for one another,” he said. “Basic crime prevention could reduce our crime rate even more.”
He said the upcoming expansion of police facilities is something he’s “wished for since 2006.”
“I feel blessed working in this community, because law enforcement is appreciated,” Massey said. “It’s a great place to work, we’re proud to serve you and we’re going to work hard to keep this a very safe community.”
Aquatics Director Colby Phillips spoke about several programs, including the junior lifeguard courses that have led to the certification of nearly 400 children in safety procedures. Many of the participants have helped to staff special events and this year, she said, the department hired the first junior lifeguard graduate, a 15-year-old named Patrick.
“Learn to Swim Like a Mermaid” events are held every Saturday and dive-in movies continue to be popular, Phillips said. A screening of “Jaws” will be held at the beach club on July 14.
On June 24, aquatics will host a “Cinderella” tea party for children at the sports core pool, which will include photo opportunities with Cinderella herself. Phillips added that private parties are offered at the beach club and Mumford’s Landing pools.
Phillips also oversees recreation and parks and said summer camps there already have a waiting list. Free concerts and movies in the park are planned throughout the summer, and family fun nights will return to the Oasis pool on June 21.
Golf Director John Malinowski said good conditions at the golf course and new, lower rates are helping to boost rounds. He said the course is in the best condition it’s been in at least five years and that online reviews are strong.
On the website Golf Advisor, he said, 100 percent of reviewers have recommended the course during the last six months. Over the last 12 months more than 97 percent have recommended it.
Food and Beverage Director Brian Townsend raved about renovations at the beach club, Tern Grille and Mumford’s Landing, all operations that he oversees. He said a Father’s Day event is planned at the beach club in Ocean City.
“We’re looking forward to having a great season,” Townsend said.