1. There are lots of plainclothes officers patrolling Ocean City, as well as

uniformed ones. They pose as clerks, customers, and tourists.

2. Absolutely NO alcohol on the beach or in public places.

3. If you’re under 21 and you drive with ANY alcohol in your system (even less

than one beer) you can lose your license for at least 6 months. The .08 percent

level doesn’t apply if you’re under 21. There is a zero tolerance for anyone

under 21 to possess or consume alcohol, whether driving or not. You can be

arrested anywhere, including private residences.

4. When someone under 21 is arrest for DUI/DWI there is a second citation for

underage drinking. This means the MVA will have a hearing for license

suspension and there will be a regular civil court hearing on the DUI/DWI and

underage drinking.

5. If convicted, there are fines, community service, mandatory alcohol education

(with fees associated), points on license (which means higher insurance rates),

and an arrest record possible. It is clearly not worth the consequences.

6. Constructive Possession means if you’re in the vicinity of opened alcohol, you

will be charged with an alcohol citation.

Teens under 18 will have their parents called on the spot. This is a civil

offense and will be deferred to the Dept. of Juvenile Justice in the

jurisdiction of residence- 

Those who are 18-20 will be handled as adults for a civil offense. A trial

date will be set for them to appear before a judge in Ocean City, usually

in the Fall which can be very inconvenient when college is in session.

Having possession of a fake or altered ID can result in receiving 12

points on a license, confiscation of the license, and criminal charges.

7. Read your rental contract carefully, and follow their rules. Otherwise you

could be out on the street with nowhere to stay. And you’lllose your money.

8. The beach property rentals work with the police, and many will evict renters if

the police are called.

9. Use common sense on the beach:

Use sunscreen every hour. Lots of BeachWeeks have been ruined with

severe sunburns on the first day at the beach. The sand and water reflect

more than you think.

Be careful body surfing. Lots of head and neck injuries result from

diving into shallow water.

Only swim in the ocean from 10 am-5:30 pm when the Beach Patrol is

on duty. Don’t swimalone or at night. Pay attention to the Beach Patrol

(lifeguards.) They are the police on the beach.