Popular Jersey Shore resort town of Wildwood cracks down on alcohol ban on beaches and boardwalks

A popular Jersey Shore party town is cracking down on drunken behavior by imposing a liquor ban on its beaches and boardwalks this summer.

Alcohol was already banned in the area, but Wildwood police officers did not strictly enforce it, and people were commonly drinking on the beach.

But local leaders passed an ordinance on Wednesday where “the mere existence of any type of alcohol is prohibited” at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners and it will come into effect in early June.

They decided to strengthen the law to stamp out “unruly behavior” following numerous complaints of people drinking and smoking along the beach.

It comes just days before Memorial Day weekend, when thousands of people flock to the Jersey Shore to enjoy the celebrations.

Alcohol was already banned in the area, but Wildwood police officers did not strictly enforce it and people were drinking commonly on the beach: A man drinking a tequila drink

Local leaders passed an ordinance on Wednesday where ‘the mere existence of any type of alcohol is prohibited’ and it will come into effect in early June

Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron said the new ordinance will prohibit the possession of any container of alcohol even if it is unopened.

Those who violate the ban face fines of up to $2,000 and 90 days in jail.

“Alcohol of any kind has always been prohibited on the beach and boardwalk,” Byron said.

“In fact, there is already a sign at each street entrance to the beach. This new ordinance not only prohibits the consumption and/or open display of alcohol, but also states that the mere existence of any type of alcohol is prohibited.

But designated restaurants and permitted events along the boardwalk and beach will be exempt from the alcohol ban.

Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons said, “Each year the city receives numerous complaints about alcohol, marijuana use and smoking on the beach and boardwalk.

“That’s how we respond to those complaints.”

And Wildwood Public Safety Commissioner Steve Mikulski said the ban was enforced because drinking alcohol leads to bad behavior and increases health risks.

“It’s a matter of public safety,” he said. “We understand that people are on vacation and want to have a good time.

“We want everyone to enjoy Wildwood. Drinking, especially in the sun during the holidays, often leads to excessive and unruly behavior, not to mention increased health risks.

Mayor Byron added that the stricter policing was not to spoil the holidays but to deter drunken behavior.

He explained that first-time offenders will likely receive a warning and be asked to throw away their booze or take it back to their hotel and he denied it was “money taking.” “.

‘Are people still going to bring booze to the beach? Probably. We are looking for the worst offenders,” he told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Authorities have had to crack down on illegal beach parties that usually attract rowdy groups of drunken adults.

Authorities have decided to strengthen the law to stamp out ‘unruly behaviour’ following numerous complaints of people drinking and smoking along the beach

Those who violate the alcohol ban could face fines of up to $2,000 and 90 days in jail

Two fixtures scheduled for May were canceled after officials warned organizers it was illegal and would be closed.

The event called “The Wildwood Beach Linkup” was scheduled for May 12 and 13 and advertised as having “dance battles, twerking contests, beer pong and boxing matches.”

Wildwood is home to about 6,000 residents, but it’s inundated with visiting tourists during the summer months.

The newly passed ordinance is similar to those in other Jersey Shore cities that seek to eradicate the possession and consumption of alcohol along beaches and boardwalks.

Jersey Shore towns implemented a curfew last June for teenagers 17 and under, banning them from the beaches and boardwalk after 10 p.m.

The towns of Brick, Toms River, Point Pleasant Beach and Long Branch have all instituted curfews for teens after thousands of people descended on the area to party this summer.

It was introduced after locals complained that teenagers were ruining “family towns” by partying.