Wildwood approves overnight boardwalk closure ordinance ahead of summer season

WILDWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- The City of Wildwood has approved an ordinance that will close its boardwalk daily from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., year-round, a move city leaders say is aimed at reducing late-night, unruly crowds ahead of the busy spring and summer season.

The ordinance was passed on Wednesday by the City Council and is set to take effect May 13, just ahead of Memorial Day.

Officials described the closure as an extension of existing safety measures, including a 10 p.m. curfew for those under 18 and a backpack ban, which they say have already improved conditions on the boardwalk.

"We don't want to do this, but we have to be proactive. We have to," Commissioner Krista McConnell said.

Deputy Mayor Steve Mikulski said the decision was driven by public safety concerns in a city that sees large seasonal crowds.

"This is a tourist destination, and we're trying to keep our residents and our tourists safe," Mikulski said.

Police Chief Joe Murphy told commissioners that simply adding more officers has not been enough to address late-night issues, particularly involving younger crowds. He said recent problems in places such as Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Virginia Beach helped shape his support for the ordinance.

"First and foremost, the mere presence of uniformed officers is not having a great effect on influencing the adolescent age crowds that we're seeing down here," Murphy said.

"We are more convinced that this closing time is needed to help mitigate these late-night crowd issues." Murphy added. "I believe these closures will not only reduce our early morning offenses but will also help with the resilience of our officers."

Wildwood has experienced unrest and some violence during warmer months, including the assault of an off-duty Stone Harbor police officer on the boardwalk last March.

The ordinance, however, has drawn opposition from some residents and business owners.

Oswald Salvatico of Wildwood questioned whether a full closure is necessary, saying, "There's no need to shut down the boardwalk for a few bad apples."

Business owners raised concerns about the economic impact during what they describe as a short and critical season.

David Zarfati of Cape May Courthouse said rising costs have already strained businesses.

"There's a slim three-month season for these businesses to make it, and we've already had the cost of goods go up. We've had our minimum wage hike up. We've had payroll taxes hiked up, insurances are hiked up. It's like we can't catch a break," Zarfati said. "Now you want to shave off, whether it's 5% or 10% of our seasonal income, that's just another blow to business owners."

"Safety, of course, comes first, but we're not sure this is the right way," he added.

Zarfati also warned about the potential for further restrictions in the future.

"We want businesses to thrive and be busy up until 1:30, even 2 o'clock in the morning," he said. "We don't want a situation where we solidify 1 o'clock and then there's a fear that 1 o'clock becomes 12 o'clock, and then 12 o'clock becomes 11 o'clock. That's always a concern."

Others spoke in favor of the closure.

Jimmy Murphy of Wildwood said, "Sometimes you have to look at the greater good of everybody and I think the 1 o'clock would be good."

Mikulski said he believes Wildwood is setting a precedent for other shore communities.

"We are the first resort that's actually closing something like this, and mark my word, you're going to have other people that will follow us," he said.

City officials said they plan to monitor the ordinance once it takes effect and assess its impact during the upcoming summer season.