By Cindy Christy Fertsch
The beaches were packed, and the Boardwalk was buzzing on Memorial Day weekend. However, it was a tumultuous start to the season as police responded to several incidents on the Wildwood and Ocean City boardwalks. And farther north, Seaside Heights had similar problems. All experienced significant disturbances on Saturday and Sunday, from fights, a false alarm about a shooter to a stabbing during a large brawl on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
In Wildwood, police shut down the city’s boardwalk overnight, declaring a state of emergency due to what authorities termed “civil unrest. ” This response came after an overwhelming number of calls related to large groups of young adults and juveniles causing disturbances. Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. emphasized that Wildwood will not tolerate unruly behavior, stating, “We will not stand by while the laws of the state tie the hands of the police. ”
In Ocean City, a teenager was stabbed during a larger fight on the Boardwalk, leading to several arrests. The 15-year-old victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland stated, “For those who come to our communities to create unrest, be forewarned that your bad decisions and actions will not be tolerated. Law enforcement will use all legal measures to arrest and charge all violators. ” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian assured residents and visitors that the city will not tolerate such behavior, urging parents and teens to act responsibly.
The boardwalk in Wildwood was reopened at 6 a. m. on Monday after being closed overnight. The problems began on Saturday night when first responders were overwhelmed by “civil unrest, ” necessitating assistance from neighboring towns. On Sunday, the situation escalated, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency to protect public health and safety.
It remains unclear what specific events transpired in Wildwood on Sunday night. Still, reports indicated unruly crowds and teenagers breaking curfew, contributing to the decision to declare a state of emergency.
Overall, the incidents at the Jersey Shore boardwalks serve as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in maintaining order during peak tourist seasons.
