CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Cape May County leaders gathered Monday to discuss ways to deal with large disorderly gatherings such as the deadly car rally in Wildwood and enforcing laws on juveniles.
Elected officials, law enforcement leaders and state representatives from Legislative Districts One and Two convened what they called a Roundtable Work Session on Preventing Disorderly and Criminal Gatherings.
The roundtable focused on recounting shared experiences and challenges and advancing proactive efforts that can be made locally and on the state level well in advance of the 2023 tourism season.
Changes in state law made it more difficult for local law enforcement agencies to effectively disperse gatherings of young people engaged in the consumption of alcohol and cannabis.
Local governments and law enforcement agencies have struggled with large, disorderly gatherings at various public locations during the tourism season.
On Sept. 23 and 24, multiple county municipalities were faced with an unprecedented level of lawlessness with disorderly gatherings of motor vehicles and crowds that defied the directions of law enforcement, took over public streets and commercial parking lots, and created conditions dangerous to public safety. This activity culminated in the deaths of two people.
Commissioner Leonard C. Desiderio organized the work session, along with Middle Township Mayor Tim Donohue, Avalon Mayor Marty Pagliughi and North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello.
Representatives of 15 of the county’s 16 municipalities were in attendance along with state Sen. Michael Testa, Assemblyman Antwan McClellan and Assemblywoman Claire Swift.
“We are not Democrats nor Republicans in this effort,” Desiderio said. “We are the community of Cape May County and we must all be in this together.”
Donohue recounted the pop-up car rally and the challenges it posed to public safety professionals. “Without the response of multiple law enforcement agencies from around the county, this would have been much worse,” he said. “This cannot be a one-town effort. If we don’t take a county-wide approach locally and a bi-partisan approach in Trenton and make it clear that participants in these types of events will face severe consequences, this thing can pop up in any town at any time.”
Pagliughi, Chief of Police Jeff Christopher, Rosenello, and North Wildwood Chief of Police John Stevenson echoed the concerns of Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian and Avalon Councilwoman Barbara Juzaitis that the recent changes in state law, making it illegal for police to detain unruly juveniles, has created a lawless atmosphere on the streets in the summer months.
County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Edward Shim outlined potential strategies for law enforcement and efforts being made by the State Prosecutors Association to advance legislation to assist law enforcement.
The roundtable stressed the importance of swift, bi-partisan, legislative action to enhance the ability of local law enforcement to cope with these problems, and all legislators present committed to working with their colleagues to advance legislation as quickly as possible.
The roundtable plans to reconvene on Jan. 18 to assess progress and continue to stay focused on these important issues.