Popular Jersey Shore beach town Wildwood cracks down with booze ban on beaches and boardwalks: ‘The mere existence of any kind of alcohol is prohibited’
- Local leaders in Wildwood passed an ordinance on Wednesday where ‘the mere existence of any kind of alcohol is prohibited’ and it will take effect in early June
- They decided to strengthen the booze ban to stamp out ‘unruly behavior’ after numerous complaints about people drinking and smoking along the beach
- Those who violate it could face fines of up to $2,000 and 90 days in jail
A popular Jersey Shore city is cracking down on drunken behavior by enforcing a booze ban on its beaches and boardwalks this summer.
Alcohol was already prohibited in the area but police officers in Wildwood did not strictly enforce it and people commonly drank on the beach.
But local leaders passed an ordinance on Wednesday where ‘the mere existence of any kind of alcohol is prohibited’ during a Board of Commissioners meeting and it will take effect in early June.
They decided to strengthen the law to stamp out ‘unruly behavior’ following numerous complaints about people drinking and smoking along the beach.
It comes just days before Memorial Day weekend when thousands of people flock to the Jersey Shore to enjoy the celebrations.
A popular Jersey Shore city is enforcing a booze ban on its beaches and boardwalks this summer
Alcohol was already prohibited in the area but police officers in Wildwood did not strictly enforce it and people commonly drank on the beach: A man enjoying a tequila drink
Local leaders passed an ordinance on Wednesday where ‘the mere existence of any kind of alcohol is prohibited’ and it will take effect in early June
Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron said the new ordinance will ban the possession of any alcohol containers even if they are unopened.
Those who violate the ban could face fines of up to $2,000 and 90 days in jail.
‘Alcohol of any kind has always been prohibited on the beach and boardwalk,’ Byron said.
‘In fact, there is already a sign at every street entrance to the beach. This new ordinance not only prohibits the drinking and/or open display of alcohol but also says the mere existence of any kind of alcohol is prohibited.’
But designated restaurants and permitted events along the boardwalk and beach will be exempt from the alcohol ban.
Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons said: ‘Every year, the city receives numerous complaints about drinking, marijuana use and smoking on the beach and boardwalk.
‘This is how we are responding to those complaints.’
And Wildwood Commissioner of Public Safety Steve Mikulski said the ban is being enforced because drinking leads to bad behavior and increases health risks.
‘This is a matter of public safety,’ he said. ‘We understand people are on vacation and want to have a good time.
‘We want everyone to enjoy Wildwood. Drinking, especially in the sun on vacation, often leads to excess and unruly behavior, not to mention increased health risks.’
Mayor Byron added that the stricter policing wasn’t to ruin vacations but to deter drunken behavior.
He explained that those offending for the first time will likely get a warning and be asked to throw their alcohol away or take it back to their hotels and he denied it was a ‘cash grab’.
‘Are people still going to bring alcohol to the beach? Probably. We’re looking for the worst offenders,’ he told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Officials have had to clamp down on illegal pop-up beach parties being held which usually attract rowdy groups of drunk adults.
Officials decided to strengthen the law to stamp out ‘unruly behavior’ following numerous complaints about people drinking and smoking along the beach
Those who violate the booze ban could face fines of up to $2,000 and 90 days in jail
Two meetups planned for May were cancelled after officials warned the organizers it was illegal and would be shut down.
The event called ‘The Wildwood Beach Linkup’ was scheduled for May 12 and 13 and advertised to have ‘dance battles, twerking contests, beer pong and boxing matches’.
Wildwood is home to around 6,000 residents but it is flooded with tourists visiting in the summer months.
The new ordinance passed is similar to those in other Jersey Shore towns which aim to stamp out possession and consumption of alcohol along beaches and boardwalks.
Jersey Shore towns implemented a curfew last June for teenagers aged 17 and under, banning them from beaches and the boardwalk after 10pm.
The towns of Brick, Toms River, Point Pleasant Beach and Long Branch have all brought in curfews for teens after thousands descended on the area to party this summer.
It was introduced after residents complained teenagers were ruining ‘family towns’ with partying.
