WILDWOOD, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Wildwood police will be out in force this Memorial Day weekend after discovering several potential flash mobs being organized on social media, with the mayor promising zero tolerance for misconduct.
Police have been monitoring social media for teenagers organizing large meetups that sometimes take a violent turn. Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said a few people have been warned about this already.
“They delivered a cease and desist letter today to a student in school,” he said, “so yeah, you may want to think twice about coming to Wildwood to carry on. We are very, very, very aggressive with making sure that this stuff doesn’t happen.”
Laws passed last year have enhanced penalties for people who organize and engage in violent mobs, like the ones that have shut down carnivals and on boardwalks last year. Even the parents of flash mob organizers can be held liable for damage.
Troiano said the city wants people and families to come and visit with confidence that nothing will get out of hand.
“We are in the entertainment business, and we want them to know they can come down here and have a good time,” he said, “but in the same breath, we want to make sure it’s a safe time and if you’re coming down here to create a problem, you may want to think twice. If you’re caught — and you will be caught — you will pay dearly for it.”
Four police horses will help monitor the boardwalk during the holiday weekend. New Jersey State Police, the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will also be helping maintain order.
