Ocean City officials weigh response as teen mobs spark late-night violence fears

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WBFF) — Teen “mob-style takeovers” are raising public safety concerns in Ocean City, where city leaders say large groups of teens are converging on public places and, in some cases, escalating to violence.

At a council meeting in Ocean City this month, resident Michael Bell described an incident involving his 20-year-old granddaughter. “They were banging on her car…. She’s 20-years old and this was at 12 o’clock at night,” said Bell.

Bell pressed city officials about the response to the gatherings. “And I’d really like to know what police are doing about these mass mobs,” he said. “They need to lock everyone of them up. Everyone of em.”

City leaders say the incidents are threatening lives and stretching local resources. “At this time, they’re finding no boundaries and no consequences for their behavior,” said Del. Chris Adams.

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Adams and other local leaders appealed to the governor this month, asking for state help during the upcoming special legislative session. In their request, they wrote, “we respectfully request your support for emergency legislation during the upcoming General Assembly that would provide local governments with appropriate tools to respond to these incidents”

But the request was denied. In a letter from leaders of the House and Senate, they were informed that the upcoming special session would only deal with legislation concerning congressional redistricting.

Adams criticized the response. “I think its defensive, I think its reactionary.to real criticism….” said Adams who believes the refusal to address the issue sends a message about priorities in Annapolis. “If we’re going to show up in session are we concerned about the optics. Are we there to serve the public interests or politics and it seems like politics at its worse at the moment,” said Adams.

Ocean City officials are also urging parents to get involved. “Parents really need to know where their kids are and what they’re doing.,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.