OPPD Chief shares speed survey results, new entry-level salaries

(March 26, 2024) Ocean Pines Police Chief Tim Robinson on Saturday shared results of a recent speed survey.

Speaking at the Board of Directors monthly meeting, Robinson said speed surveys were conducted in February and March over a roughly three-week period.

He said the surveys were done along Ocean Parkway at Briarcrest Drive, Sandyhook Road, Wareham Court, and the 300 block of Ocean Parkway. The posted speed limit on Ocean Parkway is 35 mph.

Results were:
 

• At Briarcrest over a three-day period, the average speed was 32 mph and 88% drove 39 mph or slower.
• At Sandyhook over eight days, the average speed was 33 mph and 96% drove 39 mph or slower.
• At Wareham over seven days, the average speed was 36 mph and 78% drove 39 mph or slower.
• At the 300 block of Ocean Parkway over seven days, the average speed was 33 mph and 85% drove 39 mph or slower.

Overall, Robinson said police clocked 48,112 total vehicles, with only 53 topping 50 mph.

“I will share I was very pleased,” he said. “We see the overall vast majority of people here in Ocean Pines … are obeying the speed limit.”

Robinson said the surveys would continue, next moving to the south side of Ocean Pines.

“We're going to be moving to some residential streets where we're getting some complaints … especially some of the longer ones with the longer straightaways,” he said. “And if anybody has an area where they would like something like this done, please let us know.”

Asked by a homeowner how to report reckless driving, Robinson said always call it in.

“If you have a vehicle description, that's sometimes all we need,” he said. “If you say it's like a little blue Mazda, we'll go out there and try to find it.”

Robinson also announced new, higher entry-level salaries for Ocean Pines Police officers.

“I've got to give credit to our General Manager, Mr. John Viola, and the Board under the leadership of Mr. Rick Farr as President. We have raised the starting salary of the Ocean Pines Police Department, once they complete training, to $63,500,” Robinson said.

“That now puts us at the highest tier of law enforcement,” he continued. “We are the highest paid law enforcement on the Lower Eastern Shore.”

Robinson said the department had struggled with hiring over the last six months. However, since raising the starting salary, “All of a sudden our phones are ringing off the hook.”

“If you know anybody who wants to get in law enforcement, this is a great community to work for,” he said. “It's a great department to work for [and] we have great support here. I think it's actually been the talk of the law enforcement community.”

For more information on the Ocean Pines Police Department, visit the new police website at oceanpinespolice.com, or call the non-emergency line at 410-641-7747.