Ocean City officials address public safety after boardwalk fights
The city laid out their expectations for the summer and released more detail about the 15-year-old that was stabbed last weekend.
OCEAN CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Ocean City officials addressed the weekend's incidents on the boardwalk on Thursday, vowing to prioritize public safety. It comes after a holiday weekend filled with large crowds of teens at the Jersey shore.
"It's up to all of us to make sure that our kids and everybody that we come in contact with we educate them on how important it is to be accountable and be a good person," said Mayor Jay Gillian.
Officials gave more details about the events leading up to the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy on Saturday. Police say that was part of a coordinated fight between two groups of juveniles that knew each other.
READ MORE: Teen stabbed during altercation on Ocean City, NJ boardwalk
"These were a group of juveniles that were familiar with one another. There were no other individuals that were targeted," said Ocean City Police Chief Bill Campbell.
The mayor also said there were fights, shoplifting and disorderly conduct.
"I think the most important part for Ocean City to do is kind of send out these warnings, have more statements on what to do when these situations arise," said Hara Shahid, who is a waitress on the Jersey Shore.
Employees at boardwalk businesses say the weekend was a little different from a typical holiday weekend.
"It was honestly a little nerve-racking just because it was really busy and a lot of customers were coming in and complaining about all the kids running around," said Ally Brown, a sales associate at The Islander boutique who was working on Saturday.
Managers at The Islander boutique say they're considering closing earlier because of the late-night crowds of teens.
SEE ALSO: Cape May County prosecutor warns of arrests, charges after chaotic holiday weekend at Jersey Shore
"I would like more police on the boardwalk just to break up those large groups of kids. We don't know where they're coming from," said manager Haley Harper.
Jody Levchuk, co-owner of Jilly's Arcade and other stores, says while his establishments were not affected by the weekend incidents, he's in favor of more rules.
"Nobody wants that type of behavior in this town. Not the business owners, not the residents, not the second homeowners, and surely not people coming here for the day. Nobody wants to experience that," said Levchuk.
In Ocean City, similar issues arose last summer, resulting in a curfew and a backpack ban. Those rules are still in effect.
In Wildwood, a state of emergency was declared for what officials called civil unrest due to a large number of juveniles in the city.
Officials also say they're working with lawmakers on legislation that would allow police officers to engage more with juveniles, saying laws at the state level restrict local police officers.
We reached out to the governor's office and the attorney general on Thursday. So far, we have not heard back.
