Popular Jersey Shore beach town of Wildwood is cracking down on liquor bans on beaches and boardwalks: ‘The mere existence of any form of alcohol is banned’
- Local leaders in Wildwood on Wednesday passed an ordinance prohibiting “the mere existence of any form of alcohol,” which will go into effect in early June.
- They decided to tighten the liquor ban to quell ‘unruly behaviour’ 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 town is cracking down on drunken behavior by enforcing a liquor ban on its beaches and boardwalks this summer.
Alcohol was already banned in the area, but police officers in Wildwood didn’t enforce it strictly, and people often drank on the beach.
But local leaders at a board meeting on Wednesday approved an ordinance prohibiting “the mere existence of any form of alcohol,” and it will take effect in early June.
They decided to tighten the law to stamp out “unruly behavior” after numerous complaints about people drinking and smoking on the beach.
It comes just days before Memorial Day weekend when thousands of people flock to the Jersey Shore to enjoy the festivities.
A popular Jersey Shore town is enforcing a liquor ban on its beaches and boardwalks this summer
Alcohol was already banned in the area, but police officers in Wildwood didn’t enforce it strictly, and people often drank on the beach: a man enjoying a tequila drink
Local leaders on Wednesday approved an ordinance prohibiting “the mere existence of any form of alcohol” to take effect in early June
Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron said the new ordinance will ban the possession of alcohol containers, even if they are unopened.
Those who violate the ban 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.
‘Actually, there is already a sign at every street entrance to the beach. This new regulation not only prohibits the drinking and/or open display of alcohol, but also says that the existence of any form of alcohol is prohibited.”
But designated restaurants and permitted events along the boardwalk and beach are exempt from the alcohol ban.
Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons said, “Each year the city receives numerous complaints about drinking, marijuana use and smoking on the beach and boardwalk.
‘This is how we respond to those complaints.’
And Steve Mikulski, Wildwood’s public safety commissioner, 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 that people are on vacation and want to have fun.
“We want everyone to enjoy Wildwood. Drinking, especially in the sun on holiday, often leads to excessive and unruly behaviour, not to mention increased health risks.’
Mayor Byron added that the tougher policing was not intended to ruin holidays, but to deter drunken behavior.
He explained that first-time offenders will likely be given a warning and asked to dispose of their alcohol or take it back to their hotel, 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 crack down on illegal pop-up beach parties that usually attract rowdy groups of drunk adults.
Officials decided to tighten the law to stamp out ‘unruly behaviour’ in response to numerous complaints about people drinking and smoking on the beach
Those who violate the liquor ban could face fines of up to $2,000 and 90 days in jail
Two meetings scheduled for May were canceled after officials warned organizers it was illegal and would be halted.
The event called ‘The Wildwood Beach Linkup’ was scheduled for May 12 and 13 and was advertised as having ‘dance battles, twerk contests, beer pong and boxing matches’.
Wildwood has a population of about 6,000, but is overrun with tourists during the summer months.
The new ordinance passed is similar to those in other Jersey Shore cities that aim to eradicate the possession and consumption of alcohol along beaches and boardwalks.
Jersey Shore cities implemented a curfew last June for teens 17 and under, banning them from beaches and the boardwalk after 10 p.m.
The cities of Brick, Toms River, Point Pleasant Beach and Long Branch have all enacted curfews for teens after thousands flocked to the area this summer to party.
It was introduced after residents complained that teenagers were ruining “family towns” with parties.