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JULY 23, 2021
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Cocktails to go won’t resume in Worcester License commissioners say it’s matter of public safety
JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Activists from the Caucus of African American Leaders and various local chapters of the NAACP congregated peacefully outside of City Hall in downtown Ocean City on Monday to address a pair of controversial incidents on the Boardwalk last month when local law enforcement used force on Black teenagers who were allegedly vaping. The activists held a small rally before marching up the Boardwalk, chanting slogans such as “No justice, no peace,” and “This is what community looks like.”
Activists: ‘We’re not anti-police’ ‘Freedom Bus Ride’ brings Black leaders to Ocean City to discuss cops’ use of force By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (July 23, 2021), Annapolis, Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury and Ocean City. These were the stops for the “Freedom Bus Ride,” a two-bus tour of activists, Black clergy and politicians that took to Route 50 on Monday, stopping and speaking at several landmarks that held historical significance with the civil rights movement. Ocean City was included as the terminus, though, because of the recent pair of controversial incidents in June that saw local law enforcement
use force against Black teenagers on the Boardwalk. The first order of business for the groups’ leadership was meeting with local politicians, including Mayor Rick Meehan and Del. Wayne Hartman. “We were very concerned when we saw what occurred in June of this year when several African American youths were subjected to excessive force,” remarked Carl Snowden, convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders. “We came to meet with the mayor and express to him our concern. We’re thankful that he agreed to meet with us.” The caucus along with multiple Maryland NAACP chapters organized the event. After meeting Meehan and Hartman, the group held a small rally in front of City Hall before taking to
the Boardwalk. The 100 or so activists chanted slogans such as “No justice, no peace” and “This is what community looks like” as they made their way north from 3rd Street. Snowden said they asked Meehan to look into hiring an “officer of equity and equality,” or an official whose job would be to monitor and assess the city’s handling of racially sensitive situations, especially as they pertain to ensuring people of color are not mistreated when they interact with law enforcement. “Budgets reflect peoples’ priorities,” Snowden said. “If you look at a budget, you know where their priority is.” Snowden said they also asked that Ocean City Police Department outsource the investigation into the inciSee ACTIVISTS Page 6
By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (July 23, 2021) Ocean City is not going to become another New Orleans or Key West — at least not by offering to-go cocktails. After a sparsely attended public hearing on Wednesday, members of the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners voted 3-0 against reinstating a covid-era provision that would have allowed businesses with all types of liquor licenses to offer carryout and delivery of alcoholic beverages through June 2023. “It would enable, or more enable, public consumption, which is against the law, probably on all counts as far as on the street,” License CommisSee LIQUOR Page 4
Tasered thrice, suspect finally accepts cuffs By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (July 23, 2021) A Columbia, Maryland man was struck with an electrical Taser three times by Ocean City Police last week after resisting arrest, according to court documents. Nicholas Libertini, 35, was arrested by OCPD at approximately 10 p.m. on July 14 and charged with disorderly conduct and several counts of second-degree assault. Police were dispatched to a food stand near the pier on the See CUFFING Page 8
