By Maddy Vitale
Some of Ocean City’s best known landmarks are the centerpiece of an enhanced safety campaign unveiled Wednesday by the Ocean City Police Department and the Ocean City Free Public Library.
The police department and library joined forces late last year to create a safety awareness campaign that combines free safety-themed items such as key chains and magnets with vinyl-wrapped police trailers that display pedestrian, beach, bicycling and motorist safety tips, Police Lt. Brian Hopely explained.
The materials will be available wherever the police trailers go throughout the year and will also be in the library bookmobile and in the library at 1735 Simpson Ave. The library provided $20,000 in funding for the materials in the 2019 budget.
The idea is to get the safety message across to people, while also making the locations recognizable and distinctly Ocean City, Hopely noted.
“The trailers show local, iconic images specific to Ocean City, so people can relate to these pictures and take notice of the safety messages,” Hopely said.
Hopely, along with Ocean City Free Public Library Director Karen Mahar, discussed ways they feel the partnership will be a success. The goal is to also open it up to other community support in the future.
Mahar said the partnership enables the two entities to support both educational and community outreach partnerships really highlighting the “Think Safety” and “Operation Safe & Secure” campaigns.
“Our library continues to play an invaluable role in providing resources and expertise that fosters community engagement and transforms lives through education and lifelong learning,” she said.
Images that represent to people that they are in or entering Ocean City include the water tower, the Route 52 Causeway, a lifeguard boat and a mother and daughter shopping in the downtown. Each photo displays specific safety tips.
Some of the messages in the campaign are “Walk Safe OCNJ,” “Swim near a Guard,” “Watch your Children,” “Wear a Helmet,” “Obey Signs and Signals” and “Share the Road.”
In May, a pedestrian died after being struck in Ocean City, underscoring the importance of safety measures and awareness.
Hopely noted that children will receive coloring place mats that have pedestrian safety tips on them. “Be Aware … Cross with Care” is one of the messages that children will learn about while sitting with their parents or guardians at resort eateries.
Other free merchandise with tips for motorists, pedestrians, swimmers and bicyclists include “Think Safety” pop sockets for cell phones and “Think Safety” refrigerator magnets.
Some of the locations where the police department will feature the trailers will be at the Spring and Fall Block Parties, Fourth of July parades, weekly Farmers Markets and First Night celebrations.
Business owners will also join in with “Safe and Secure” storefront posters created to include beach, traffic, pedestrian and bicycle tips.
Mahar said in late 2018 she was approached by Hopely and Police Capt. Charlie Simonson about the possibility of a partnership. The hope is that it will grow to include more partnerships throughout the community.
Library Board of Trustees President Jennifer Shirk said of the partnership, “This is one more example of how our public library can strengthen the community and add immeasurable value through education and public awareness.”
For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com, www.oceancitylibrary.com and follow the Ocean City Police Department @OCNJPolice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
