OCEAN CITY – A concentrated effort to increase social media usage this year has paid off for resort authorities with requests for public assistance often resulting in suspects quickly being identified and apprehended.
For example, on Monday around 11 p.m., the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) issued a call for public assistance about a couple who walked out on a restaurant check on the Boardwalk. The Facebook post involved photos from security cameras of the suspects as well as contact information for the OCPD. The post read, “the Ocean City Police Department is currently investigating a theft that occurred at a downtown restaurant located near 5th Street and the Boardwalk. The theft happened on Sunday, August 13, 2023, around 3:09 p.m. Two individuals walked out on a check. The first individual was described as an African American male, approximately 5’8, with a beard and he was wearing a Bob Marley tank top. The second individual was described as an African American female wearing a black outfit and red hat with long black hair.”
As of Monday afternoon at 2:30, the suspects were still being sought, but in numerous recent situations social media has resulted in individuals being recognized. For instance, on Aug. 7 at 1:48 p.m., the OCPD released City Watch images of suspects wanted for a Boardwalk theft. A little over four hours later, the post was updated to report the suspects were identified with the photos blacked out in the updated post.
A similar, more high-profile instance when social media helped lead to suspects being identified came about earlier this month. Four victims riding a city bus were allegedly spit on by a female in a white bathing suit while another victim was struck by a female in a green bathing suit. The images were posted on Facebook seeking the public’s help on Aug. 6 at 7:23 p.m. On Aug. 8 at 4:44 p.m., the police department thanked the public for the assistance in the identification of all wanted individuals.
In yet another case, police used social media on Aug. 5 to alert the public about a lost 9-year-old girl who was last seen on the beach in a bathing suit that was shown on the department’s Facebook. The post was updated with the picture of the child removed less than an hour later once she was located.
Yea good guys!
Identify Joe Biden Hiding Docs in his Garage in Delaware !!!!
Should be a crime for those two to be in public wearing bikinis
In other words, OCPD need to rely on the public to do their jobs for them, then want all of the credit for the arrest.
Wanted posters used to be nailed to trees, telegraph poles and buildings, offering cash rewards.
Now if City Fail (Rickie and Co) would listen to their constituents…..