New Jersey’s attorney general, Matthew Platkin, blamed the town of Wildwood for not having enough police officers patrolling its boardwalk over the Memorial Day weekend. Platkin stated that the lack of law enforcement presence led to the city being overwhelmed and ultimately closing the boardwalk temporarily due to incidents involving rowdy teens and young adults creating disturbances. The disorder prompted Wildwood to seek help from neighboring police departments, as they were unable to handle the situation on their own. Platkin suggested that Wildwood did not have enough officers assigned to the boardwalk during the busy holiday weekend.
Platkin defended New Jersey’s juvenile justice reforms during an event to check boardwalk games of chance for compliance with state regulations. He placed responsibility on Wildwood for not having adequate law enforcement officers present, citing that they had hired the fewest officers this year compared to previous years. While Wildwood did not respond to inquiries about the number of officers assigned to the boardwalk, they assured that additional officers would join the force in the coming days. Wildwood Public Safety Commissioner Steve Mikulski mentioned that police departments are facing shortages in staff, with fewer individuals pursuing careers in law enforcement or firefighting.
Ocean City also faced disturbances during Memorial Day weekend, with incidents including the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy who sustained non-life-threatening wounds. Mayor Jay Gillian reported that Ocean City police brought 23 teens to the station for various infractions, issuing over 1,300 warnings for alcohol, cannabis, curfew, and other violations. Gillian stated that the teens involved were known to each other and came to Ocean City with the intent of causing harm, emphasizing that such behavior would not be tolerated. Critics attributed the disturbances to juvenile justice reforms that imposed restrictions on police officers’ interactions with juveniles, particularly in cases involving alcohol or marijuana possession.
Platkin clarified that nothing in the law prevents police from arresting teens involved in violent events, despite the restrictions placed by juvenile justice reforms. He emphasized the importance of having the right training and resources in place to ensure that law enforcement officers can effectively carry out their duties. Platkin dismissed the notion that the law itself was the primary issue, emphasizing the need for proper staffing and training to address the challenges faced by police departments during busy holiday weekends. Wildwood and other towns along the Jersey Shore are taking steps to increase their law enforcement presence and respond more effectively to incidents of disturbances and violence.
The incidents over Memorial Day weekend have raised concerns about the ability of police departments to handle large crowds and maintain public safety during peak tourist seasons. Platkin’s comments regarding the need for adequate staffing and training highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in dealing with disruptive behaviors and criminal activities. As the summer season approaches, towns like Wildwood and Ocean City are preparing to bolster their police presence and enhance security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Community leaders and law enforcement officials are working together to address issues related to juvenile justice, law enforcement resources, and public safety in popular tourist destinations like the Jersey Shore.
