No shoes, no shirts, no teens … no issues.
A Jersey Shore beach town has prohibited all unaccompanied minors from participating in nighttime activities in a sweeping effort to curb dangerous gatherings that have resulted in brawls and underage drinking.
The Cape May City Council voted unanimously to enforce curfews in the city, preventing anyone under 18 without an adult from accessing the beach after 8 p.m. and from any other public area in the city after 10:30 p.m., as stated in the newly passed ordinances.
“The Cape May Police Department would like to remind residents, visitors, and families about several new City ordinances designed to help keep our beaches, promenade, and community safe,” officials stated on Thursday.
“These ordinances are intended to help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for our residents and visitors, especially during the busy summer season.”
The new regulations establish two curfews for minors without adult supervision to prevent any unruly or uncontrolled partying in the beach resort town.
Cape May Mayor Zachary Mullock stated that the ordinances aim to deter troublemakers from other parts of the Jersey Shore from flocking to the popular vacation spot after hours.
“We really wanted to ensure we didn’t turn into the afterparty for some of the other towns that have already implemented similar measures,” Mullock said, according to WPVI.
“After 10:30, we all know it’s not usually the best things that occur then, so to me, honestly as a parent myself, I think it’s a positive step,” he added.
Late-night beach visitors will also face limitations as the new rules ban backpacks and other bags from the beach and the city’s renowned promenade between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The prohibited items include book bags, cinch bags, duffel bags, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, and similar bags and containers larger than eight inches in height, width, or depth.
Bags carrying medical devices, supplies, and other equipment necessary for a person’s immediate care are exempt from the ban.
“We ask parents and guardians to please familiarize themselves with these requirements and plan accordingly,” the police department said. “Thank you for doing your part to keep Cape May safe!”
In recent months, several arrests have occurred due to fights and underage drinking during the late-night hours in the city, the outlet reported.
The two-term Democratic mayor, who is running to unseat Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2) in the US House of Representatives, praised the ordinances after they took effect Thursday night.
“Frankly, last night, they were out here, and the reports I received indicate that it worked, and we just had families out here enjoying a pleasant evening,” Mullock said.
Tourists to the city have expressed no concerns with the orders, describing them as a proactive approach.
“I think that’s smart. That’s planning ahead,” Staten Islander John Christiansen 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. What happened to game night?”
Other areas of the Shore have been overwhelmed by unruly youngsters as part of the viral “teen takeover” trends that have sparked mass brawls and chaos in the streets.
Just before Memorial Day Weekend, Long Branch police arrested six people after a large group of teens gathered at Pier Village for an unauthorized “pop-up” event.
The crowd allegedly began fighting and jumping on cars as they took over the city’s boardwalk and surrounding streets.
