Wildwood to Implement Overnight Boardwalk Curfew This Summer
Authorities in a Jersey Shore town, Wildwood, have decided to introduce a curfew due to ongoing disturbances caused by rowdy teenagers. This new rule will see the boardwalk closed from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. each day, starting May 13.
Two years ago, Wildwood had to declare a state of emergency when a group of “unruly” youths overwhelmed the waterfront. At a Town Commission meeting on Wednesday, the ordinance was approved, as reported by WPVI.
Town officials say the closure is an expansion of existing safety measures designed to manage large crowds during the busy summer season. These include a 10 p.m. curfew for minors and a ban on backpacks. They also mentioned that improvements have been made to the city’s walking trails.
“This is a tourist destination, and we are committed to keeping our residents and visitors safe,” remarked Deputy Mayor Steve Mikulski during the meeting.
However, this decision has sparked some pushback from local business owners on the boardwalk. They argue that heightened security would be preferable to cutting valuable business hours during the busy season, according to the Atlantic City Press.
Town leaders defended the decision, citing a significant decrease in police staffing compared to previous years. They believe that the curfew is the best path forward for public safety.
Police Chief Joe Murphy explained that merely having officers present does not effectively deter the adolescent crowd. He added, “We believe this closing time is necessary to alleviate these late-night crowding issues. These closures will not only reduce early morning crime but will also support our officers’ resilience.”
Some skeptics noted that noisy teenagers might simply move to different areas of town, continuing their disruptive behavior.
Officials also pointed out that there were no announcements directing people to leave the boardwalk, nor were officers actively guiding individuals away from the area.
Visitors who are already in line for concessions or services like tattoos during the curfew will still be allowed to pick up pizzas or other small items.
“This is not intended to be overly strict,” said McConnell, mentioning that the curfew will be adjusted as needed.
Wildwood had previously declared a state of emergency, temporarily shutting down the boardwalk after chaotic scenes unfolded during the 2024 Memorial Day weekend, when some unruly teens and young adults created disturbances.
During this tumultuous time, the local police found themselves too occupied responding to incidents to handle other calls effectively.
Additionally, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed on a nearby boardwalk in Ocean City, which led to panicked crowds fleeing the area.
