After last year’s Memorial Day weekend at the Shore was marred by gangs of teens that brought violence and vandalism, several communities are ready if it happens again.
NJ Advance Media spoke to police chiefs and mayors in three Jersey Shore communities and here’s what they had to say about preparations to handle unruly crowds of teens.
Seaside Heights
Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz said over 100 police officers are expected to be available for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. If something happens, police from neighboring communities and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office can also be called to respond.
“I can’t say nothing is going to happen ... because I don’t know,” Vaz told NJ Advance Media. “I can assure the people that we will act sternly to stop any nonsense that’s going on.”
Vaz said the borough has plans in place should gangs of teenagers show up. “Come down, have fun, but if you’re looking for trouble, you’re going to be in trouble,” Vaz said.
Wildwood
In Wildwood, anyone under the age of 18 cannot be out in public past 10 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult, according to a news release. The city intends to fine teens violating curfews or other laws, and has banned backpacks from the boardwalk.
Police will monitor social media for “pop-up parties” being planned to take place in the city. One such party caught the attention of Wildwood police on Wednesday.
The city has installed lighting along the boardwalk from 26th Street and Burke Avenue, and surveillance cameras. Occupancy limits will also be enforced to prevent overcrowding at rental homes, according to a news release.
“We’re not playing games when it comes to the safety of our boardwalk and the families who come here to enjoy themselves,” Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. previously told NJ Advance Media. ”You break the rules, you deal with the consequences. Plain and simple.”
Ocean City
Ocean City Councilman Jody Levchuck told NJ Advance Media there will be an increased police presence, particularly along its boardwalk. The city police department will have 60 full-time and part-time officers working Memorial Day weekend, Levchuck said.
Ocean City has a ban on backpacks on its boardwalk, Levchuk saying the ban helps stop underage drinking and shoplifting. In some cases, teens have been caught using backpacks to smuggle fireworks onto the boardwalk, he said.
“It’s not because we’re expecting problems,” Levchuck said, “we’re expecting to deter problems. I don’t expect any type of riffraff like what we’ve had in the past.
“What happened last year is no indication of what will happen this year. It’s kind of like when you flip a coin. Just because it landed on heads on that last foot doesn’t mean it’s going to land on heads again.”
New state laws
Several bills meant to address gangs of teens and young adults coming to the Shore are under consideration by New Jersey lawmakers.
The bills range from new training to help police address “pop up parties” and another increases penalties for the parents of guardians of a juvenile.
A bill making inciting a public brawl a fourth-degree crime was conditionally vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Stories by Eric Conklin
Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.