A Safe Start to Summer: Ocean City Boardwalk Shines Over Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and Ocean City once again proved why it’s known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” With sunshine, a sea breeze, and smiling faces, the boardwalk came alive—and it all unfolded in a remarkably safe and well-managed atmosphere.

This past Saturday, I found myself back on the boards not just as a reporter, but as a father. For the first time, I allowed my teenage son and his friends to explore the boardwalk on their own while I photographed the early summer crowd. From 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., I walked the length of the boardwalk, observing and appreciating what I often take for granted — a community that knows how to balance fun with safety.

By that hour, most families with young children had already headed home, leaving groups of teenagers to enjoy the cooler evening air. And enjoy they did. For the most part, they were polite, respectful, and receptive to occasional reminders about boardwalk rules. As a parent, I felt reassured. As a local, I felt a sense of pride.

What struck me most was the cooperation and presence of our police officers. I watched veteran officers guiding new recruits, calmly monitoring the flow of the crowd and interacting with teens in a way that was both firm and respectful. There was no sense of over-policing, nor was there a lack of structure. It was a well-tuned dance of proactive community policing.

I reached out to the Ocean City Police Department for a statement about this Memorial Day weekend. “The weekend was largely uneventful, with no major incidents to report.” They believe their success came down to proactive enforcement of curfews — both on the beach and the boardwalk — and a strong on-duty presence. “Additional officers were assigned both Friday and Saturday night to assist the regularly scheduled officers already on-duty, and no outside agencies were requested and/or necessary to handle the call volume and/or enforcement activity.”

It’s no small feat to manage such a busy weekend without major disruption, especially in a town that draws tens of thousands to its shores each summer. The smooth start is a credit to thoughtful planning, community engagement, and the professionalism of our police department and city staff.

As summer begins, Ocean City has once again set the tone — proving that fun and safety aren’t mutually exclusive. From this local — and dad — thank you to everyone who made this weekend a success. Here’s to a season filled with sunshine, family memories, and unforgettable boardwalk nights.