Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
H2Oi challenge the police please don’t trash our town pic.twitter.com/ggv3P4Ri69
— Jessie (@Jessica73113332) September 29, 2019
WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Ocean City’s mayor is vowing to stop rowdy car enthusiasts from causing more trouble in the city after he said they raised havoc there Saturday.
Videos posted to social media showed mobs of people roving the streets of Ocean City. The H20 International car event moved from Ocean City to Atlantic City two years ago, but that has not stopped some fans from coming back. A city official said the fans do not have official ties to the event, which is billed online as “The ‘Laid Back’ 2 Day Volkswagen/Audi Event.”
Ocean City Police spokesperson Ashley Miller said a crowd of about 200 people was told to break it up Saturday afternoon. When they refused, police pepper sprayed them, and then Miller said people in the crowd threw rocks and bottles at officers. A driver doing burnouts hit two people, but they refused medical treatment.
“What took place this past weekend in Ocean City can never happen again. This group came to town with the sole purpose to raise havoc in our community, to disrupt our lives and defy law enforcement,” Meehan wrote on Facebook.
Warning: The following video contains language that may be offensive to some viewers.
H2Oi ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Qu7CK3GM54
— Jessie (@Jessica73113332) September 29, 2019
City Council secretary Mary Knight also expressed her disgust on Facebook.
“Like most of my fellow residents, I am infuriated and appalled at the disrespect and carnage that our community was subjected to this weekend,” Knight wrote.
She and Meehan vowed to do whatever is necessary to protect Ocean City residents.
Meehan said he and the city council need to start working with the police chief, city manager and state agencies immediately to put a plan in place to stop the chaos. He said it could include declaring a state of emergency. He went on to say he plans to meet with Gov. Larry Hogan this week to talk about the incident and ask for his help.
Knight told residents to email her with any suggestions.
Copyright 2019 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo and videos: @Jessica73113332 via Twitter)
