WILDWOOD, NJ – Police in Wildwood breaking up a boardwalk brawl contended with angry and disorderly teens encroaching them while making their arrest. The scene unfolded several times Saturday night, ending with the police department shutting down the boardwalk at midnight.
City officials and the Wildwood Police Department took decisive action in response to significant civil unrest over the Memorial Day weekend, culminating in the declaration of a local disaster emergency early Monday morning.
This response followed an overwhelming number of service calls on Saturday evening, primarily due to the city’s large gatherings of young adults and juveniles.
As the situation escalated, mutual aid was requested from several agencies in Cape May County, but due to the volume, some service calls could not be addressed immediately. In an early morning decision on Monday, local authorities, led by Chief Joseph Murphy and the city’s Emergency Management Coordinator, declared a state of emergency amid worsening conditions despite law enforcement efforts.
The emergency measures, including closing the boardwalk, were effective in managing the unrest and ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors. Commissioner of Public Safety Steve Mikulski continued, “We had measures in place ahead of the Sunday night crowds so that the police department could take these preemptive actions should the need arise. Unfortunately, the crowds necessitated the state of emergency to which our police department and other responding departments worked together to maintain order in the city.”
Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr., emphasized the city’s zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive behavior, particularly from young, unsupervised groups.
Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. stated, “Wildwood will not tolerate unruly, undisciplined, unparented children nor will we stand by while the laws of the state tie the hands of the police. We wholeheartedly support the City of Wildwood Police Department in protecting this community from these nuisance crowds on our boardwalk and in the city.”
Commissioner of Public Safety Steve Mikulski noted that the city had prepared for potential issues before they escalated on Sunday night, allowing for quick implementation of emergency protocols. Commissioner Krista McConnell highlighted ongoing efforts to address such disturbances at the state level, in cooperation with local and state officials.
Although the state of emergency has now been rescinded, city leaders express their gratitude to all assisting agencies and reaffirm their commitment to maintaining public safety and order.
