CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. — A limited shared services agreement (SSA) between North Wildwood and West Wildwood will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 4, 2025, providing temporary police coverage for West Wildwood, officials announced Thursday.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and North Wildwood Police Chief Katherine Madden said the agreement allows North Wildwood officers to patrol West Wildwood during uncovered shifts, while both departments retain command over their respective personnel. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office will remain in charge of West Wildwood’s Police Department and will continue to oversee criminal investigations.
The SSA is set to remain in effect through December 31, 2025, with the potential for adjustments by mutual agreement after September 30. Officials aim to finalize a more permanent shared services agreement by January 1, 2026.
Residents and visitors to West Wildwood will see patrol vehicles from both departments throughout the transition period.
Effective at midnight on July 4, the previous Mutual Aid arrangement involving the police departments of North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest will officially end.
“I would like to thank the North Wildwood Police Department, the City of Wildwood Police Department and the Wildwood Crest Police Department for stepping up during the term of the Mutual Aid arrangement to ensure that public safety was maintained in West Wildwood,” said Prosecutor Sutherland. “We look forward to continuing to assist West Wildwood during this transition period.”
The new agreement is intended to ensure uninterrupted public safety coverage during a time of departmental restructuring.