A recent private event held at the city-owned Dockside Restaurant property has renewed public scrutiny over how third-party organizers use city-owned spaces, particularly when safety concerns and police presence become involved.
The June 27 event, billed as “We Still Outside Friday: Summer Bash Pt. 2,” was organized by Riverside Productions. A flyer for the 21+ event advertised DJ entertainment, a $10 cover charge (free for women before 9 p.m.), and promised “tight security” at 2 Riverside Drive, the address of Dockside Restaurant, located on the Pocomoke River.
Although the property is owned by the City of Pocomoke and leased to the Dockside Restaurant’s operators, the restaurant itself was allegedly not involved in organizing or promoting the event. Riverside Productions appeared to be the sole promoter and event host.
On the day of the event, a Facebook post by LaQuan Townsend announced its cancellation, stating that a “respected figure in our city leadership” said they had “feared for [their] life” after a previous Dockside gathering. That figure was later identified as Mayor Todd Nock. However, hours later, Townsend reversed course, stating the event was “back on” after positive discussions with city officials.
Safety and Protocol Under the Microscope
In a Facebook post following the incident, Mayor Nock said that upon returning to town the night of a prior event, he encountered a chaotic scene near Dockside: “I couldn’t even cross the bridge because the street was full of people—blocking traffic, arguing, and ready to fight.” He stated that over 10 officers were on site trying to manage the situation and that “bullets don’t have a name.”
The mayor criticized the event organizers for not following what he described as “proper channels,” which he later elaborated on in response to questions from The Arrowhead.
“When events take place on or near city-owned property – especially if they’re open to the public and expected to generate heavy foot traffic – businesses are expected to coordinate with City Hall and our police department,” Nock said. That includes advance notice, working with public safety officials, and ensuring that permits and liability measures are in place.
Police Chief Arthur Hancock declined to comment on questions regarding calls for service or police support related to events at Dockside, referring all inquiries to City Hall.
Nock emphasized that the city’s concerns have nothing to do with the type of event. “We don’t police music, or age demographics,” he said. “The issue is entirely about planning, communication, and public safety.”
The mayor also revealed that a similar event held in April had prompted city concern. “There was a significant amount of rowdiness,” Nock said. “I personally expressed my concerns to the [Dockside] leaseholders in an email following that event. I wanted to be proactive and open – not punitive.”
Organizers Frustrated
LaQuan Townsend, speaking through social media prior to the reinstatement of the June 27 event, expressed frustration that city leadership was discouraging community engagement and young entrepreneurship. “It hurts when you’re trying to build something good for your community and the very people who should be lifting you up try to tear you down,” he wrote. He also called on supporters to attend the next City Council meeting to demand “clarity and real dialogue.”
A separate post promoting the June 27 event that Townsend was tagged in assured attendees that “security will be deep,” that “drama” would not be tolerated, and that police would be on standby when the event ended.
Despite multiple outreach attempts by The Arrowhead, Townsend did not respond to requests for further comment. Caitlin Evans, one of Dockside’s leaseholders, also did not respond.
Lease Status and City Response
Because lease negotiations for Dockside are currently ongoing, Mayor Nock declined to speak to specific expectations or limits in place for how the property may be used. However, he reiterated that “any tenant on city-owned property is expected to operate within local ordinances, communicate with city officials when hosting public events, and ensure that safety protocols are followed.”
Looking ahead, the city plans to establish clearer internal guidelines for private events on public property. “This situation has shown us where more clarity and structure are needed,” Nock said. “The goal is not to restrict creativity, but to make sure everyone — including businesses, organizers, and public safety officials — are on the same page from the beginning.”
As of press time, no formal policy changes or enforcement actions have been announced.
