Ocean City Council OKs Restrictions on Sale of Explicit Merchandise on Boardwalk

Although it's still early in the season for throngs of beachgoers to descend on Ocean City, New Jersey's Boardwalk, the Town Council is now taking measures to clean up profane, explicit merchandise displayed at some Ocean City Boardwalk storefronts in the past.

On Monday, April 7, the Council unanimously approved a new regulation. It requires explicit merchandise to be removed from storefront displays. Under the ordinance, profane items must be placed in a section of a store that's not visible from the outside. Business owners are also required to post signs alerting customers to areas of their shops where the items are sold.

Town Council officials said the new regulation aims to protect minors from viewing inappropriate content. And also preserving Ocean City's family-friendly environment. 

First-time violations result in a $500 fine. A second violation leads to a $1,000 fine. A third violation could result in the business owner's license being revoked or suspended.

CoastTV spoke with one Ocean City vacationer, Wendy Brate, who enjoys spending time on the Boardwalk, about the new regulation. “I can see why some folks wouldn't want their youngsters to be reading that type of stuff and asking silly questions to their dad as they're walking down the Boardwalk,” she said.