Police in Ocean City, New Jersey, are investigating a stabbing incident on the boardwalk during Memorial Day weekend, while a nearby beach town declared a state of emergency due to civil unrest.
Over Memorial Day weekend, police forces along the Jersey Shore faced challenges as crowds descended upon the popular tourist destination, resulting in a stabbing incident and a declared state of emergency in a neighboring town.
In Ocean City, police responded to a report of a stabbing on the boardwalk Saturday evening. A 15-year-old male victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and an unidentified male suspect remains at large.
The incident was one of several disturbances reported in Ocean City over the weekend. According to Mayor Jay Gillian, the town experienced issues related to large crowds of teenagers, including fights, shoplifting, and disorderly conduct.
"As in recent years and in other shore towns, Ocean City experienced a number of issues related to large crowds of teens on the Boardwalk, fights, shoplifting and disorderly conduct during the start of Memorial Day weekend," Gillian stated.
In response, police made multiple arrests and restored order to the boardwalk. "Our officers made multiple arrests last night and were able to quickly restore order to the Boardwalk once the teens involved in these incidents were removed," Gillian added.
Mayor Gillian emphasized the city's commitment to enforcing the law and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for responsible visitors. "We have a highly qualified team of officers on the boardwalk and throughout town, and they will enforce all laws to the fullest," he said. "Ocean City will always be welcoming to all guests, but I want to send a clear message to parents and to teens: 'If you don't want to behave, don't come.'"
Further south in Cape May County, the Wildwood Police Department declared a state of emergency just after midnight Monday due to "numerous incidents of civil unrest." The declaration was lifted hours later, but no arrests were reported.
The incidents on the Jersey Shore highlight a broader problem of violence and unrest at beaches and other popular tourist destinations as the summer season begins. A shortage of lifeguards has also prompted some municipalities to close or reduce operating hours for beaches and swimming pools.
In New York City, for example, only 230 of the 600 lifeguards needed to fully staff and patrol beaches have been hired. "There are some beaches that will have shortened hours or may not even be able to have a full complement because we have … a national lifeguard problem that we're trying to resolve here in the city," Mayor Eric Adams said this week.
As crowds continue to flock to beaches and other popular destinations, law enforcement and local authorities face the challenge of maintaining order and ensuring the safety of visitors.
