TO: The Mayor and City Council of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland 

FROM: Concerned Citizens of Worcester and Wicomico Counties and Surrounding Areas

PREAMBLE: We, the undersigned residents and community members, submit this petition to address the systemic negligence of the Town of Ocean City government and its agents. The failure to uphold safety protocols and legal regulations resulted in a catastrophic incident on August 20, 2024. While the physical loss of life was a tragedy for the community, the subsequent treatment of the surviving individual(s) involved has created a secondary crisis of financial and personal ruin.

STATEMENT OF NEGLIGENCE AND IMPACT: On August 20, 2024, an incident involving an Ocean City tram occurred, which we believe was the direct result of a failure to enforce established safety procedures. This negligence has caused a cascade of devastating consequences for the affected party, including:

Severe Psychological Trauma: Documented PTSD and the absence of adequate mental health support from the employer.
Total Financial Collapse: The loss of employment and subsequent loss of essential benefits, resulting in the loss of housing, transportation, and personal assets.
Loss of Dignity: The failure of the Town to provide a safety net for those operating under its jurisdiction.
OUR DEMANDS: We, the undersigned, formally request that the Town of Ocean City Government take the following immediate actions:

Independent Investigation: A transparent, third-party investigation into the safety violations and administrative failures that led to the incident.
Comprehensive Restitution: Immediate financial compensation for the affected individual(s) to cover lost wages, the loss of housing/assets, and ongoing medical and mental health expenses.
Policy Reform: The immediate implementation of rigorous safety training and a "Crisis Support Protocol" to ensure that any employee or individual involved in a municipal accident is provided with immediate mental health and legal resources.
CONCLUSION: The Town of Ocean City holds a duty of care to its employees and the public. Justice has not yet been served. We stand in solidarity with the former Tram driver and demand that the Town take accountability for the human cost of this negligence.