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Ocean City police press conditions as board tentatively approves Wild Bill’s/Caruso’s bike‑week permit
Summary
After lengthy testimony from applicants and local businesses, the Board of License Commissioners approved a temporary Bike Week permit for Caruso’s Pizza/Wild Bill’s while urging tighter security controls and closer coordination with Ocean City police; the board continued to require follow-up reporting and written security commitments.
The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners on June 17 approved a temporary, limited license for Caruso’s Pizza and Wild Bill’s to host expanded Bike Week activities Sept. 9–12, 2026, but made the approval conditional on enhanced security measures and close coordination with Ocean City police.
Owners and managers told the board they have run a Bike Week event on the parking lot for roughly 24 years and outlined a layered security plan that includes volunteer firefighters, off‑duty officers, private security and a named security supervisor, Ronnie Townsend. Owner testimony estimated daily attendance in the thousands during peak hours and described staging, portable bars and vendor areas for the multi‑day event.
Ocean City police officials urged stricter controls. Captain Denesee, patrol commander for the Ocean City Police Department, said the department was not there to block the permit but urged the licensee to adopt police recommendations for entry points, sober on‑duty staff, and a clear chain of command for handling disturbances. “We’re not here to oppose it,” Denesee said, “but when we are there we have a legal right to be on the property and we expect to be treated with dignity and respect in the performance of our duties.” Chief Ray Austin told the board he wants written agreements on security staffing and agreed to meet with the applicant and security leadership before the event.
Applicant representatives, including the event security supervisor Ronnie Townsend, described coordination with local clubs and police intelligence units and said they will accept police recommendations and implement more written procedures. Townsend said the event uses a mix of paid and volunteer security, including retired officers and EMS personnel, and that he will serve as the police liaison.
After discussion, the board made approval contingent on the applicant submitting in writing the agreed security plan, naming the security supervisor(s), and documenting any changes the Ocean City Police Department requests. The motion to approve cited those conditions and directed staff to review the final plan and conduct a pre‑event site walkthrough.
Next steps: the applicant must submit the written security plan and any police recommendations in writing; the board’s staff will confirm that the site plan and staffing commitments are in place before a final permit is issued.
