State funding helps beef up surveillance camera networks in Salisbury, Ocean City

MARYLAND – Salisbury and Ocean City Police are getting some help from the state to ensure their surveillance systems are up to snuff.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development recently released $597,000 in grant funding towards beefing up safety in communities across the state.

Salisbury Police Department (SPD) received $80,000, and Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) $99,000, to purchase and install new surveillance cameras.

On the Lookout in Ocean City

In Ocean City, OCPD spokesperson Ashley Miller, says cameras are already keeping watch over the boardwalk, the entrances and exits to the town, Baltimore Avenue, and city buildings. The devices are especially helpful, Miller says, in monitoring potentially unsafe situations.

“We are able to use it just to see where it’s busy, and how we can allocate manpower,” Miller said. “Say there’s a fight, they’re able to see it and we are dispatching officers in real-time. They’re giving very accurate descriptions.”

Surveillance in Salisbury

SPD Chief David Meienschein says his department uses surveillance cameras in a similar way.

“It’s a force multiplier for us,” Chief Meienschein said. “The cameras help us monitor large groups, particularly in the downtown area with all the events.”

However, SPD is trying to get more eyes in the sky. And, that comes at a cost.

“We’re trying to do is build upon what we already have established downtown for infrastructure. So, our plan is to kind of build out from there,” Chief Meienschein said. “Any time we get funding like this, which is not otherwise available, it certainly helps us because we wouldn’t be able to move forward with something like this if it wasn’t for the funding from the state.”

Safe Summer

Looking toward the second half of the summer, Chief Meienschein says police need everyone to do their part, and pick up the phone when something doesn’t seem right.

“If anybody sees anything suspicious anywhere in the city, please give us a call and let us know as soon as you see something,” Chief Meienschein said.