Wildwood Boardwalk Reopens After Overnight State of Emergency

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wildwood NJ, this morning, the Wildwood boardwalk is back open following an overnight state of emergency declared by city officials due to “numerous incidents of civil unrest.”

Emergency Response and Reopening

City officials shut down the boardwalk around midnight to address these disturbances and ensure the safety of residents and visitors. After managing the situation, the state of emergency was lifted earlier today.

Official Statements

Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. made it clear that Wildwood will not tolerate unruly behavior:

“Wildwood will not tolerate unruly, undisciplined, unparented children nor will we stand by while the laws of the state tie the hands of the police. We wholeheartedly support the City of Wildwood Police Department in protecting this community from these nuisance crowds on our boardwalk and in the city.”

Commissioner of Public Safety Steve Mikulski added:

“We had measures in place ahead of the Sunday night crowds so that the police department could take these preemptive actions should the need arise. Unfortunately, the crowds necessitated the state of emergency to which our police department and other responding departments worked together to maintain order in the city.”

Incidents in Other Shore Towns

The holiday weekend saw chaos erupting in other shore towns as well.

Ocean City

In Ocean City, police are currently searching for a suspect who stabbed a teenage boy on the boardwalk. The incident took place on Saturday night after 9 p.m. during a fight. The 15-year-old victim is expected to recover. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the police.

Seaside Heights

In Seaside Heights, a curfew was enforced for individuals under 18 after crowds caused disturbances near the packed boardwalk. Despite false reports of shots fired, police implemented a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in Toms River’s barrier island communities to maintain safety.

Moving Forward

As the boardwalk reopens and life returns to normal in Wildwood, city officials and law enforcement remain vigilant to prevent further incidents. The response from Wildwood and other shore towns highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all residents and visitors during the busy holiday season.