Wildwood warns curfew ordinance will be strictly enforced ahead of summer break

WILDWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- Summer break is still months away, but Wildwood has a warning for teens and their parents. This year, police will be strictly enforcing the curfew ordinance.

"If you don't act like that at home, don't act that way here. And if you do act that way at home, stay home," said Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr.

Police say there will also be a greater police presence on the boardwalk starting next month.

The ordinance makes it so juveniles cannot be on the boardwalk alone after 10 p.m. when they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

"We're going to drop the hammer this year. We are going to charge parents for every juvenile we take into custody after 10 p.m. The parents will be charged," said Chief Joseph Murphy. "The slogan for the campaign is, 'Every night is a family night' and that's what we're trying to get out to the parents."

The curfew was first pushed up to 10 p.m. last summer on the boardwalk due to unruly crowds. At one point it led to a state of emergency on Memorial Day weekend.

Throughout the summer, police say they issued more than a thousand warnings to teens, arrested at least 40, and charged more than 30 parents.

Some of the illicit behavior included drinking, smoking, and breaking curfew.

"Pull the stools from outside so they're not hanging, we don't play loud music," said Haroula Rotondi, who owns The Hot Spot.

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She says she had to close early a few times last summer when the crowds got out of control.

"I think it really starts from the home. Hey, you're going down there, be mindful of the people around you, be mindful of where you're staying," she said.

There's a similar 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles in North Wildwood and Margate too.

Ocean City, New Jersey has an 11 p.m. curfew.

"We're just trying to protect those who want to come down here to have a good time from those who are only down to create havoc," said Troiano.

Wildwood says it has tools to help with the curfew. Cameras on the boardwalk have AI technology in them that will help track offenders. They go all the way from 26th Street to the Wildwood Convention Center.

Police will also fine parents up to $1,000 if their teens are caught in violation.