College Beach Weekend organizer tells Ocean City to 'relax' about event

Ahmet Ozar recalls the frustration that "College Beach Weekend" caused last year.

A manager at Piezano’s Pizza on 7th Street, Ozar was more than forthright about his feelings on the unsanctioned event that included fights near his establishment.

“We absolutely do not want them,” he said. “Business-wise, we make a lot of money from the event, but ultimately it’s a disaster.

“Last year, there were a lot of fights and people passed out in the restaurant. It’s worse than senior week, which is saying something."

Many people. have echoed Ozar's concerns, venting on social media channels, bracing for the weekend. However, the organizer of the event that runs from July 20-23 and brings an influx of thousands of people to the area claims that the young adults who come to Ocean City are not the issue.

Breonte Hackley, CEO and founder of Party Headz, which has been operating College Beach Weekend since 2013, said any concern on the part of Ocean City is misplaced.

“For everybody's that's nervous, they should absolutely relax,” he said. “We’re just coming here to be on vacation, not to cause trouble. Honestly, it’s a shame that people think we’re coming there with the intention of acting foolish.”

Last year's weekend was linked to 12 arrests from July 23-24 by OC officials. In the first incident, crowds numbering up to 200 people on the Boardwalk threw bottles, yelled profanities and eventually assaulted police officers, according to reports.

An Eventbrite page is selling tickets to various “VIP” parties to be held in Ocean City during the event, the locations of which are not being publicly shared. Instead, ticket holders alone will be notified of the various locations as the weekend approaches.

The Ocean City Police Department has been preparing for this weekend for some time, posting announcements as early as June. 

In a post to the official Ocean City Police Department Facebook page on July 14, OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro reiterated earlier statements that the town was "fully prepared" for the influx of visitors.

“Like all other events in Ocean City, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, my staff and I have been planning and preparing for this event and any isolated incident that may arise for quite some time,” Buzzuro said in the post.

Buzzuro said the officers have a comprehensive and strategic plan that includes assistance from nearby agencies. The post said residents and visitors will see a high police presence especially on the Boardwalk.

The chief encouraged business owners to staff appropriately in preparation for what he expected to be a busy weekend, and for residents to report any violations of town ordinance.

Some of the concern is fueled by what has occurred in Virginia Beach the past few years. 

During the event's planned weekend in April, four young people were shot, one was stabbed, numerous fights were reported and a traffic gridlocked around the Oceanfront area, according to a 13NewsNow report.

BACKGROUND: OC officials: College assaults 'not what OC has become'

BACKGROUND: Ocean City already preparing for July's 'College Beach Weekend'

But on Wednesday, Buzzuro sought to downplay concerns about any replay of Virginia Beach’s issues in Ocean City.

“There’s an expectation of respect, good behavior and acting in a lawful manner,” he said. “Last year, there was a deviation from that, but the majority of the people that visited the town last year conducted themselves with respect.”

A few did otherwise, he said, resulting in police action, but he doesn’t expect any serious problems this year.

“That’s really it,” he said. “We understand that there was an issue last year and we’re prepared for it and are deploying officers accordingly this year.

"Whether uniformed or in plain clothes, we’re going to have extra officers on duty to prevent any such events from happening," he said.

Sally Rutka, owner of the 8th Street Salty Yarns, Sea Trader and Shell Stocked businesses, will be in the epicenter of this weekend's crowd. Event promoters say most of the events will take place between 1st and 18th Street.

“It’s scary because there’s just such a massive amount of people," Rutka said. "A mob mentality happens that’s just threatening to the people here with their children on vacation.”

Rutka said town police need to be proactive in their approach to the event.

“I don’t think you can let 25 to 50 or more people congregate like happens at this event,” she said. “I really think the police need to step in early and handle it."

But Hackley, the organizer, said the goal of the event — which has yet to become sanctioned by the city — isn’t to ruin the town, but to bring business to it.

He also believes most of the ordinance violations that happened during the event's previous years came from locals, not from event attendees.

Three of the 12 arrested were sentenced following the events that transpired last July. Two of the men were from towns across the bridge in Maryland and the last was from Princess Anne. 

“We’re selling out hotel rooms and packing the restaurants for three whole days, and everyone should be grateful for that,” he said. “Why would I want to jeopardize my name by destroying the places we enjoy? Before everyone sells us out, just give us a chance.”

On Twitter @ReedAShelton