Honoring those who Serve

Summer 2020

Ocean Grove provided its own security force since it was established as a Methodist Camp Meeting Ground in 1869. The force first consisted of “peace officers” to enforce the town’s blue laws. It later developed into a regular police department. At one time the department was one of the largest and best equipped police forces in the country. The decision to disband the force in 1977 was made for budgetary reasons according to the Camp Meeting.

The Ocean Grove Fire Department is to provide life safety and preservation for the citizens of Ocean Grove through safety and effective fire prevention, fire suppression and and emergency assistance in times of fire, natural disaster and other peril.

Police & Parking in Ocean Grove

The local police were tasked with managing the parking of automobiles, especially during large events. For example, they were responsible for finding parking spaces for approximately 1,500 cars attending a concert in 1915. After the concert, the police successfully untangled the cars without any incidents.
In June 1927, a car was stolen after being parked outside the Ocean Grove gates. James Jenkins had parked his car near the Broadway gates, expecting to return the next day, but it was gone. The theft was reported to the police.
The police enforced the "blue law" prohibiting cars from parking on Ocean Grove streets on Sundays. This law was in effect as of 1914, with exceptions for doctors' cars. It remained in place until 1979, when the town’s legal status changed. The police were involved in ensuring this rule was followed, even as the town began to see increasing use of cars.
The police also handled the movement of cars during major events, including concerts. They played a significant role in ensuring that parking was orderly and that no incidents occurred while cars were being parked or cleared.

History of Fire Houses in Ocean

The Ocean Grove Fire Department was established in 1886, incorporating three local fire companies: the Washington Fire Company (1879), E. H. Stokes Fire Company (1886), and the Eagle Hook & Ladder Company (1892). The department was governed by a five-member Board of Fire Commissioners, responsible for acquiring and maintaining firehouses, apparatus, and equipment, as well as managing the department's budget.

In its early years, the fire department had minimal resources but was equipped with basic fire-fighting tools, such as a four-wheel truck, ladders, fire-hooks, buckets, and a chemical engine that used carbon dioxide pressure to expel water. Firefighters were volunteers, and the department lacked a water system, relying on buckets and the chemical engine to fight fires.

By 1881, the fire department had become a point of civic pride, with uniforms and fireman accessories like hats, belts, and red flannel shirts. As the town's infrastructure grew, including the introduction of a water system, the need for better equipment became apparent. In 1882, the department purchased a steam engine, hose carriages, and more equipment to improve fire-fighting capacity. This prompted the need for a dedicated firehouse, as their resources and responsibilities had expanded.