MARGATE – Ahead of the holiday weekend when hundreds of teenagers gather on the beach in front of Lucy the Elephant to celebrate senior week, Margate Police issued a warning for parents that curfew will be enforced.
Over the last several years, events at shore communities in Margate, Ocean City and Wildwood have marred what should be a celebration of summer and commemorate those brave men and women who gave their lives for freedom.
On its social media page, Margate Police announced the continued enforcement of an ordinance adopted two years ago to prevent unruly behavior by juveniles.
Calling it a proactive approach toward preventing large unsupervised groups of juveniles wreaking havoc at the Wawa on Washington Avenue, which has become known as Club Wa, and Lucy’s beach, police will be actively enforcing its Parental Responsibility ordinance adopted in 2024.
Juveniles under the age of 18 will not be permitted to be unsupervised in public places between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 p.m., the ordinance states.
“Any time officers observe a juvenile unsupervised and engaging in any behavior that is unlawful, puts their safety at risk, or if they ignore lawful commands from officers attempting to keep them safe, that juvenile will be transported back to our station and a responsible adult will be called in to take custody of the child and a summons will be issued to the parent,” the Police Department’s Facebook post states. “If the situation warrants, the juvenile will be additionally charged with whatever underlying offense prompted the police action.”
Police said that allowing children to wander at night or in large groups is not only dangerous for themselves, but also endangers police officers.
“While you may believe that your children are not engaging in unsafe behavior, or alcohol or drug usage, we assure you that the children they are meeting up with are,” police said.
Monitoring large crowds of teens puts a strain on police resources and staffing, especially when they are involved in patrolling other areas in town or answering emergency calls.
Parents must do their duty and supervise their own children, they said.
If officers see an unsupervised juvenile engaging in unlawful behavior that puts their safety at risk or if they ignore police commands designed to keep them safe, police will take custody of the teen and bring them to the station.
Fines for violating the ordinance are between $100 and $1,000 and/or 90 days of community service for the first offense, and $1,000 and/or 90 days of community service for the second and subsequent offenses.
For the text of the ordinance, see https://ecode360.com/10323345#10323340
https://ocnjdaily.com/news/2025/may/20/ocean-city-sea-isle-warn-troublemakers-to-stay-away/
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