New Restrictions Now In Effect At Ocean City Beaches

OCEAN CITY, NJ — City Council unanimously approved new beach and boardwalk ordinances Thursday afternoon, signaling the next step into preventing further chaos from unruly youths in America's Favorite Family Resort.

In a special meeting that only lasted seven-and-a-half minutes, an earlier curfew for minors and a backpack ban immediately went into effect before what's anticipated to be a busy Father's Day weekend in Ocean City.

These two new restrictions join two that have already been in place - beaches closing at 8 p.m. and boardwalk bathrooms closing at 10 p.m.

The curfew for those under 18 will be 11 p.m. now, instead of 1 a.m. It will apply to all public places and businesses, and applies to parents, guardians and caretakers as well who have knowledge of the curfew.

Backpacks will be prohibited on the beach, boardwalk and beach street ends between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. from May 15 to Sept. 15.

This is for bags larger than eight inches by six inches by eight inches, which includes bookbags, fanny packs, coolers, briefcases and more.

Thousands of teenagers descended upon the beach and boardwalk back in May, with underage drinking, shoplifting, vandalism and more among the many emergency calls responded to that holiday weekend. Read more: 999 Emergency Calls Spark Beach Crackdowns In Ocean City

New ordinances hope to prevent such behavior from occurring again.

Here's what you need to know about the new regulations:

New Curfew

Exceptions to the 11 p.m. curfew are for youths at home or a property or sidewalk adjacent, supervised school or religious organization events and those traveling to and from work.

Violators will receive a first and second warning. If they get a third warning or refuse to leave, their parent or guardian will be called.

If the parent or guardian doesn't respond, or if the teenager refuses to give their own name or the contact information for their guardian, it will constitute a "breach of peace" and they will be taken to the police station, where a guardian will have to come pick them up.

Caretakers may also be fined, starting between $250 and $500 for the first offense up to between $1,000 and $1,500 for a third or subsequent offense.

Backpack Ban

Exceptions to the ban include medical necessities, essential equipment for reporters, on-duty police officers and people actively fishing on the beach.

Two warnings will be given when feasible, which can be either orally, by posted signs or by boardwalk announcements.

Violators will be directed to the nearest boardwalk exit; those who do not comply will constitute a breach of peace.

Adults who violate this rule will be fined between $25 and $50 for the first offense. This can go up to $100 for multiple offenses.

Minors will be given two curbside warnings and after the second offense will be taken to the stationhouse to discuss the matter with their parent or guardian. But, no summonses or delinquency charges will be issued.

No E-Bike Ban

A ban on electric bicycles was planned as part of the new regulations. But after several residents, primarily seniors, spoke against the ban, the city reversed course and tabled the ordinance.
These seniors told City Council that they could not operate regular bikes due to disabilities or other medical issues, and the e-bikes allowed them to enjoy the boardwalk.

Controversy around e-bikes has to do with some who use the bikes irresponsibly and ride too fast on the boardwalk, which can be harmful for those walking.

Council decided that they would work with police to figure out a proper solution to handle the issue. Read more: Proposed E-Bike Ban Draws Complaints From Ocean City Residents