Jersey Shore Town Enacts Emergency Curfew Amid Summer Of Teen Takeovers

A New Jersey beach town tightened its nighttime curfew for minors this week, barring unaccompanied teenagers from the sand after 8 p.m. and from public spaces after 10:30 p.m.

The Cape May City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve the emergency ordinances, which took effect immediately, according to the New York Post. Anyone under 18 is now banned from the city’s beaches, beachfront and access ways between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult, and from public places citywide between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. The city’s previous curfew began at midnight during the summer season. The ordinances carve out exceptions for minors traveling to or from work.

“These ordinances are intended to help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for our residents and visitors, particularly during the busy summer season,” the Cape May Police Department wrote on Facebook.

Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock said police had noticed minors from neighboring shore towns with earlier curfews were coming to Cape May to keep partying, and that the city wanted to act before a handful of incidents became a pattern.

“We really wanted to make sure we didn’t become the afterparty to some of the other towns that have already made this move,” Mullock said. “After 10:30, we all know it’s not normally the best stuff that happens then.”

The ordinances also impose a bag restriction that applies to everyone, not just minors. Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., no one may carry a bag larger than eight inches in height, width or depth on the beach or the city’s promenade — a category that covers backpacks, book bags, camera bags, cinch bags, computer bags, duffel bags and luggage. Bags carrying medical devices and supplies are exempt.

Mullock, the Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) in New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, said the first night of enforcement went smoothly.

“Frankly, last night, they were out here and the reports I received is that it worked and we just had families out here enjoying a pleasant evening,” he said.

Shore towns up and down the coast have spent the summer contending with teen takeovers.

In May, Long Branch police responded to a teen takeover at Pier Village, an oceanfront development of rentals, hotels and shops, where a large group of teenagers was reported to be starting brawls and jumping on cars, Fox News reported. Officers carrying riot shields corralled the teens in the street and cleared the area, and the city imposed an emergency 8 p.m. curfew that night. Roughly 140 officers responded — 69 from Long Branch and about 70 more from over a dozen neighboring agencies.

Six people were arrested. Five, including three teenagers under 18, faced disorderly conduct charges; a sixth teenager was taken into custody for allegedly eluding police. Officials said more arrests were expected over two reported aggravated assaults connected to the gathering.

Some visitors welcomed the new rules. “I think that’s smart. That’s planning ahead,” John Christiansen, a tourist from Staten Island, told WPVI. “It’s really just a few bad kids that cause trouble, so once everyone finds out what they need to do then it’s good.”