Ocean City designated Special Event Zone ahead of Cruisin’ event

With thousands of car enthusiasts expected to yet again venture to Ocean City, the beach resort will once again be designated a Special Event Zone starting this Wednesday through Sunday for the Endless Summer Cruisin’ event.

The Special Event Zone reduces established speed limits in the zone and increases fines for violations.

Residents should expect to see a large police presence as officers from multiple allied agencies will be assisting the Ocean City Police Department.

The same special event zone was initiated weeks ago in anticipation of the unsanctioned H20i where thousands of car enthusiasts challenged police and wreaked havoc on the city.

Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro said his department is prepared for whatever may occur and they’re monitoring social media and will make adjustments accordingly ahead of the event.

“We have the information and we’re going to make adjustments in terms of personnel and deployment and watching closely on social media,” Chief Buzzuro said. “Once again, we’ll be out in full force and will exercise every resource we have to handle it.”

Annually, law enforcement are faced with increasing challenges as thousands of unruly car enthusiasts take to the area for events. As a result, the town experiences a host of issues, but none like they saw the last weekend of September during the unsanctioned H20i event.

Large crowds gathered in the areas of 13th and 14th Streets and Baltimore Avenue and quickly became unruly. Police tried to clear the area, and several officers were injured as people in the crowd threw rocks and bottles at them.

“For a group like that to come to Ocean City, challenge our police department, to challenge our community, and to really disrepect our community and come here to really to defy the law, just is not acceptable,” Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said.

Endless Summer Cruisin’ kicks off in Ocean City this Thursday.