While calls for service were up, data from the Ocean City Police Department revealed that the number of traffic citations, traffic warnings and DUI arrests decreased throughout the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
A review of police statistics from Friday, March 13 through Monday, March 16 shows 621 service calls were recorded within the police department, representing an 11% increase from the year prior.
Officer-initiated calls had increased from the two years prior – 468 calls in 2026 when compared to 405 calls in 2024 and 408 calls in 2025 – while citizen-initiated calls for service landed somewhere in between at 153, or more than 148 calls recorded in 2025 but less than the 170 calls recorded in 2024.
Available Demoflush numbers – which uses wastewater flow to determine population – were slightly lower when compared to prior St. Patrick’s Day weekends. Anecdotally, however, OCPD Deputy Communications Manager Ashley Miller reported larger-than-average crowds during Saturday’s festivities.
“The Ocean City Police Department had a full complement of police personnel and our Police Auxiliary Officer (volunteers) on hand during the parade and for the remainder of the day,” she said in a statement. “The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is like the unofficial kick-off for the Town of Ocean City. The town comes back to life as we start welcoming visitors, and everyone gets out and about.
“Walking along the parade route, it was evident that this was one of the largest parades to date. Many community members and visitors lined the streets to celebrate.”