WILDWOOD, New Jersey (KeynoteUSA) — Wildwood police are taking a proactive approach to prevent a pop-up beach party Friday night that has been promoted on social media.
Despite the recent chaos along the coast, visitors have arrived and are ready to enjoy a pleasant weekend.
For some, however, it is difficult to relax in light of recent incidents.
“When this happened two weeks ago, the police were right here. They were right,” said Denise Widdick, whose daughter and grandchildren were on the boardwalk when an unruly crowd took over Memorial Day weekend.
“Sometimes we have problems in Pennsylvania, too. It’s nothing new for us,” said Charrish Sensenig, who is visiting from Quarryville, Pennsylvania.
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Wildwood officials say the unauthorized party plans were circulating on social media and have since been canceled.
The police department says they know who the organizers are and if the event takes place, they plan to hold the participants accountable.
Earlier this week, Republican state Sen. Michael Testa held a virtual hearing with some Jersey Shore officials to address some of the issues they’ve been facing this summer.
“These children have little to no respect for anyone, not themselves, their friends, the police, officials, adults, nor any respect for any type of authority,” said Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr.
Long Branch officials say they shut down a planned pop-up party last weekend and issued cease and desist letters.
“You start with your legal strategy, then the second part is your presence,” said Long Branch Public Safety Director William Broughton.
Wildwood officials sent a message to anyone renting a house or room this weekend, saying in a statement:
“We encourage all rental property and motel owners in Wildwood to take extra precautions when renting this weekend. These groups have been known to take over rental properties and cause property damage.”
“It makes me nervous for my property owners and tourists. I don’t want anyone to have a bad experience,” said Tara Hargenrader, owner of Renting Wildwood.
He works with several dozen landlords who rent.
He has had clients who suffered damage to their homes in the past and has some advice for others.
“I always recommend my landlords talk to a professional real estate attorney so they have their lease closed so that if something happens and any of their tenants are involved in something that happened on the boardwalk or anywhere in Wildwood, that’s what they protected,” Hargenrader said.
Wildwood’s mayor says the governor has helped them with state police over the past two weekends.
Visitors who spoke with Action News on Friday say the youth curfew and new backpack ban are giving them some peace of mind heading into the weekend.
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