September 20, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 9 ... Undercover Officers Seeking Proactive Role In Community FROM PAGE 8 with organized neighborhood associations, and I think you will see the same proactive approach here in reaching out to the community and working with residents.” Council Secretary Mary Knight recalled a string of burglaries in unoccupied homes during last year’s off-season and used the incidents as an example of the type of crime the unit will be focusing on as well as being aware of national trends in crime and keeping an eye out for such activity in Ocean City. “We are realizing there are national trends. We are not oblivious to that just because we live on the Eastern Shore, and we are going to focus, so this is a very positive, proactive and I am excited about it. I thank the chief for it,” Knight said. Council President Lloyd Martin said the formation of a Special Enforcement Unit has been sought for some time but due to the lack of manpower it’s never happened. With OCPD currently up to sufficient staffing levels, four patrol officers have been transferred to serve in the Special Enforcement Unit. “What it does is reinforce our community policing and help us move forward in making our communities safer,” Martin said. “When there is an area of breaking and entering, or a peeping tom, or whatever it may be they can focus their efforts on that and move forward to help you feel safer in your homes, and that is what it is all about.” Being a downtown resident and former Boardwalk merchant, Councilwoman Margaret Pillas appreciates the formation of the Special Enforcement Unit. “This unit is going to work with the community, so this is wonderful. Crime is up in some areas and weapons are one of them, so I think this is important that the chief is going to put together this unit,” she said. According to August’s crime report, the following categories in calls for service have decreased; disorderly conduct, suspicious person or activity, alcohol violations, theft, CDS violations, civil disputes, domestic assault, malicious destruction, DWI investigation and/or arrest, breaking and entering, parking complaints/violation, assistance to OC EMS, noise complaints or violations, assault already occurred, forgery of any kind, report of any lost children, warrant attempt or arrest, report of a fight, indecent exposure. Coded calls for service that increased included city ordinance violation, 911 hangup, collisions, tow impound police, and lost property report. Trespassing remained the same in both August of 2012 and 2013. Happy Hour 3-6 p.m. MONDAY-THURSDAY Duck Parties Start 4-9 p.m. Friday 9/20 Kevin Poole & The Gang Saturday 9/21 Bone Daddys Sunday 9/22 Tranzfusion www.mrducksbar.com 311 Talbot Street • 410-289-9125 Open 7 Days A Week At 11 a.m.