The City of Ocean City is aiming to address the issue of teens gathering along the beaches and boardwalk after hours. In a statement released Thursday, officials announced a city-wide beach closure between the hours of 8pm and 5am. In addition, all boardwalk bathrooms will close at 10pm. The new ordinance goes into effect immediately.
Furthermore, city officials have outlined plans to extend the curfew for all individuals under the age of 18, without a parent or guardian. The new underage curfew would move from 1a.m. to 11p.m. Plans are also in place to implement a ban on backpacks larger than 8’’ by 6’’ by 8’’. If approved by City Council, the new rules would go into effect by Father’s Day Weekend.
The city has seen an uptick in the number of incidents on Memorial Day Weekend in recent years. Last weekend, Ocean City police responded to 999 incidents, up from 869 incidents Memorial Day Weekend in 2022. Many of the incidents stemmed from large gatherings of teens along the beach and boardwalk. A total of 632 curbside warnings were issued, with up to 100 reports of shoplifting.
Police were also called to incidents surrounding destruction of public and private property, shoplifting, assaults, threats to bathroom attendants, and other infractions. Several teens were taken to the hospital after becoming unconscious of excessive alcohol consumption. “We want parents, grandparents and families to know that we’re all in this together, and we will be holding people accountable.” Mayor Gillian said in a statement “I want to support the men and women of our police department.”
State Senator Mike Testa, representing Cape May County, echoed the mayor’s sentiments during a press conference Thursday in front of the Music Pier. Testa says law and order needs to be restored to shore communities to avoid chaos. “We can’t afford to have the reputation of America’s Greatest Family Resort damaged beyond repair; that is what will happen if we continue to allow anarchy on our boardwalks and beaches.”
During the press conference, Mayor Gillian also announced his intention to introduce an ordinance that would ban e-bikes along the boardwalk.
