WILDWOOD, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A state of emergency went into effect on the Wildwood boardwalk in the early morning hours of Memorial Day because of several incidents of civil unrest, say police.
Police say the boardwalk, closed to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of residents and visitors, was reopened around 6 a.m.
“Basically, the police were coming down the Boardwalk, and as they were passing, they were telling everybody that it was a state of emergency and everybody needed to get off because of a giant fight that was happening,” said Gino from Vineland, who was back on the boards Monday afternoon.
Brenda Miller from Forked River was staying at a nearby motel.
“There was a lot of crowds. There were a lot of kids. I could hear them shouting. A lot of activity, pedestrian activities,” she said.
Miller was at the Shore for kite flying events over the weekend. She says disturbances and violence, especially among young people have become almost commonplace.
“It’s hard to be a parent these days because there is so much social media stuff making it acceptable to be that way and I think that’s part of it, that it has become acceptable to become fresh and foul and in your face,” Miller said.
Memorial Day was definitely not a beach day — thanks to wind, the low temperature, fog and rain — but the boardwalk was relatively busy with foot traffic.
“My kids keep saying the rides disappeared, the ocean disappeared. It’s fun you don’t get to experience it that often so I’m just making the most of it.”
Many people like Makaila didn't know about the unrest or the police response, and she wasn’t too concerned about them when she found out. She was out for an afternoon stroll on the boards at the height of a thick fog and making the best of the holiday.
Officials in Wildwood have yet to say what the multiple incidents of civil unrest were that prompted the state of emergency but say the closure was necessary.
"Due to the issues at other Jersey Shore beach towns and other Mid-Atlantic beach destinations, the Wildwood Police Department deemed this action to be a necessary precaution as a pre-emptive measure to enforce the existing teen curfew and to ensure order," the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority said. "The restricted access to the Boardwalk was very effective in enforcing the curfew and preventing any potential incidents from occurring."