Police marine units will patrol the lagoons as part of the safety efforts for the Night in Venice celebration. (Courtesy of Ocean City Police Department Facebook page)
Ocean City police will be “highly visible” to prevent underage drinking, trespassing on private property and other illegal activity during the Night in Venice boat parade this weekend, the department is warning the public.
“The OCPD is advising all residents and guests that there will be increased enforcement in the area during the day to curtail the illegal aspects of the day, specifically trespassing, underage drinking and adults with open containers of alcohol,” the department said in a Facebook post.
The 70th anniversary celebration of Night in Venice, the city’s signature summer event, is expected to attract thousands of spectators to the bayfront Saturday evening to watch the gala boat parade make its way from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue.
“As always, the OCPD will be highly visible along the parade route and streets surrounding the area,” the department said in the Facebook post.
Ocean City police will be supplemented by law enforcement agencies from other municipalities patrolling the bayfront lagoons and surrounding streets.
“The OCPD has requested mutual aid from numerous law enforcement agencies in the area. That mutual aid will include numerous Police Marine Unit vessels and additional vehicle, bicycle and foot patrol officers patrolling the sidewalk and streets leading to the lagoons,” the department said.
Night in Venice boats feature fancy decorations to thrill the spectators on shore.In addition, police will be heavily patrolling the lagoons and streets leading up to the start of the boat parade at 6:30 p.m.
“In recent years, large groups have congregated in the lagoons on rafts and other flotation devices during the daytime hours leading up to the parade. Residents and visitors in the area have advised the OCPD that the groups consist of many unsupervised juveniles and young adults under the age of twenty-one consuming alcohol and trespassing on private property,” the department said.
“The OCPD shares the concerns of many that the informal daytime activity creates an unsafe environment for all involved,” the department added.
Mayor Jay Gillian expressed confidence that the Night in Venice celebration will be safe for the participants and spectators.
“Safety is the most important thing that night. We’re on the water and the streets,” Gillian during the July 17 City Council meeting while discussing the preparations for Night in Venice.
Gillian issued a statement Wednesday saying that in the past, Venetian Bayou, the lagoon between 17th and 18th streets, has been filled with “a sea of connected rafts” in the hours prior to the parade.
“The city is asking for your help in keeping this gathering safe. If you know of anybody who plans to participate, please make them aware of the potential danger of irresponsible behavior involving alcohol and the water,” the mayor said.
The marine safety units that will monitor the parade have advised the Night in Venice Planning Committee that if this or any other lagoon is not clear of swimmers in advance of the 6:30 p.m. start of the boat parade, they will eliminate the lagoon from the parade route, Gillian said.
Elaborately decorated bayfront homes are a big part of the Night in Venice tradition. (Credit: Susan Allen/Ocean City)Gillian added that the police will be enforcing the laws against underage drinking and drinking in public. The police marine unit will be stationed in the lagoon and on the water from the morning until well after the boat parade and fireworks that traditionally follow Night in Venice.
“The Ocean City Fire Department will staff an on-water marine unit in addition to a full complement of ambulances, command staff, and other personnel. All units will be working closely with the police department and other mutual aid agencies,” he said.
City Councilman Dave Winslow, who serves as chairman of the Night in Venice Planning Committee, also emphasized that there will be a “very strong presence” by the police and fire departments on land and the water to ensure safety.
“We have a really nice coordination with the fire and police on the land side,” Winslow said during the July 17 Council meeting.
He noted that law enforcement agencies from as far north as Beach Haven and as far south as Avalon will be helping Ocean City police to patrol the waterways.
Winslow explained that the safety programs for Night in Venice also extend to the boaters participating in the parade. They are required to attend a safety meeting ahead of the parade to “understand exactly the dos and don’ts,” he said.
“Again, there’s two parts to Night in Venice: safety and to have fun,” Winslow said.
City Councilman Dave Winslow, who serves as chairman of the Night in Venice Planning Committee, says there will be a “very strong presence” by the police and fire departments on land and the water.
