Wildwood Using Boardwalk Ordinance To Address Late-Night Crowds

Leaders in one South Jersey seaside town are moving forward with a plan to limit overnight gatherings on the boardwalk.

The Wildwood Board of Commissioners has advanced an ordinance to close the boardwalk to the public from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. year-round. The ordinance aims at curbing late-night loitering while keeping essential operations running, according to a press release from the city. 

According to a CBS Philadelphia report, the ordinance was first read at an April 8 meeting led by Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., Deputy Mayor Mikulski, and Commissioner Krista McConnell.

The Wildwood Police Department would enforce the rule, and signs along the boardwalk would notify the public about the hours. This ordinance would apply to all individuals, with exemptions for emergency personnel, city employees, authorized contractors, and activities permitted by the city or police chief.

"We fully support our Boardwalk businesses. This is not about limiting business activity. It's about preventing loitering, large gatherings, and the types of behavior that tend to occur after hours," said Mikulski, who is also commissioner of public safety, in a statement shared in a news release.

A second reading, public hearing, and adoption of the new rule are planned during the April 22 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Neighboring Jersey Shore communities, such as Ocean City, have implemented similar after-hours restrictions in response to comparable safety concerns.