Page 8 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch September 20, 2013 OCPDCreates New Enforcement Unit By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER OCEAN CITY – The new Ocean City Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, aimed at working with the community to ease concerns, was discussed by city officials this week. On Monday evening, Police Commission Chair Councilman Doug Cymek brought the full Mayor and City Council up to speed on last month’s crime statistics in comparison to last year. Last Monday, Police Chief Ross Buzzuro reported to the Police Commission August’s total calls for service, including traffic stops, business checks and assistance to citizens, were 12,983, which is a 1.8-percent increase from August 2012 when there were 12,757 calls for service. Out of the total number of calls for service, 9,421 were officer initiated, which is a 3.1-percent increase from August 2012, and 3,562 were citizen initiated, which is a 1.5-percent decrease from August 2012. The total number of calls for service, excluding traffic stops, business checks and assisting citizens, totaled 8,400, which is a 2.8-percent decrease from August 2012. “I keep hearing crime is down and I think that is great,” Councilman Brent Ashley said. However, Ashley pointed out while crime is reported to be decreasing in Ocean City the police department has established a new Special Enforcement Unit. Over the weekend, the department announced, beginning this month a Special Enforcement Unit will be patrolling throughout Ocean City. The Special Enforcement Unit will be a proactive criminal investigative unit which will focus on working closely with the community to identify problems and solve crime. Officers assigned to this unit will primarily be working in a plain clothes capacity much like the department’s Narcotics Unit. “The new Special Enforcement Unit will act as a stepping stone between our Patrol Division and our Criminal Investigation Division,” said Buzzuro. “The unit will look very closely at growing crime trends in various areas of Ocean City and serve as proactive crime fighters.” City Manager David Recor reassured overall most categories of crime have decreased except for a few abnormalities. “The Special Enforcement Unit was established to use intelligencebased information and technology to try and address some of those anomalies that are not the norm,” Recor said. “The department already works SEE NEXT PAGE ✝¤✝❘❘✡✮✌✮☛✘✿ Sunday Night: Oh Ladies...Just For You! ALL ENTREES 1/2-PRICE Monday-Wednesday Nights: $19.00 Entrees For Everyone! Wednesday Night: $10.00 Off All Bottled Wines Thursday Night: Fenwick Island Steak Night! Wonderful Aged Steak Specials Friday & Saturday Nights: Oh Early Birds! $5.00 Off All Entrees If Seated By 5:45 ✡✮✒✌✟✎¤✘✝✮✠ Just North Of O.C., Just South Of Bethany 302.539.2607 • 800.362.DINE • www.nantucketsrestaurant.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK