CAPE MAY — City Council is considering a stricter curfew to keep youth from gathering in large numbers on the Promenade and beach.
Several municipalities in Cape May County enforce juvenile curfews and other restrictions to manage large crowds, discourage pop-up parties, mobs and fighting among juveniles.
‘That night, we had noticed piles of vomit on the Promenade. We had one assault in town that evening involving kids and we had an after action report that determined some changes needed to be made or at least recommended.’
–Police Capt. Joseph Walker
Cape May’s ordinance has a general curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Oct. 1 through April 30 and midnight to 6 a.m. May 1 through Sept. 30.
On Aug. 4, City Council introduced an ordinance with two curfews: a general curfew making it unlawful for any juvenile to be in public between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult and a beach curfew.
The beach curfew would make it unlawful for any juvenile to be on the beach, beachfront, beach accessway or city-owned beach property between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult.
“In speaking with the [police] chief earlier, I thought the most compelling issue brought to my attention is that we don’t want to be the afterparty from some of these other towns that have a stricter rule,” Mayor Zack Mullock said. “So if that’s the case, I think it makes sense to get in line with the other municipalities.”
Police Capt. Joseph Walker said members of the public and police officers had provided feedback noting an increase in juvenile activity throughout the city.
“The chief had asked the command staff to come in, take a look and evaluate the situation as it stands before we jump to any conclusions,” Walker said, adding that there were large groups of juveniles on the beach July 23, tucked out of sight from the Promenade.
When the officers moved the juveniles on the beach, Walker said they noticed clusters throughout the Promenade that made areas impassable.
“That night, we had noticed piles of vomit on the Promenade,” Walker said. “We had one assault in town that evening involving the kids and we had an after-action report that determined some changes needed to be made or at least recommended.”
One such recommendation suggested no juveniles allowed on the beach after 8 p.m. unless accompanied by parents.
“They’re not out there for any purpose other than to hide and stay out of sight,” Walker said. “The other [suggestion] was that on the Promenade, we need to have the ability to navigate it and make room for families.”
Walker added that many of the problems are taking place after 10:30 p.m., and that moving up curfew would be helpful and give officers an opportunity to get ahead of problems.
Councilman Shaine Meier asked if there was any discussion on handling wheelies in traffic. Walker said there are details specifically targeting bike safety and Lt. Scott Krissinger is heavily involved with that.
Solicitor Chris Gillin-Schwartz said the changes to the ordinance were not to prohibit youth from gathering, but to avoid assembling to such a degree that people cannot get through.
“This is really intended to be a tool for the officers to be up there and say, ‘We have an ordinance in place. Can you make room and break it up a bit?’” Gillin-Schwartz said. “These are intended to be reasonable tools to be at the disposal of you when these instances come up, another tool in the toolbox.”
Councilman Steve Bodnar asked if a juvenile biking home from work would be in violation of the curfew.
“The spirit of this restriction is not to capture those that are just getting off work and in transit to their final destination, which is home,” Gillin-Schwartz said. “This is more for hanging out in a particular location, and I think that’s where officer discretion can come in.”
A second reading and public hearing of the ordinance are scheduled for Aug. 18.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
