Ocean City Increases Police Presence Due To Large Bike Crowds

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is increasing police presence citywide in response to the large crowds of teenage bike riders gathering on the city's boardwalk and streets.

In a joint statement on Monday, Mayor Jay Gillian and Police Chief Jay Prettyman said the crowds have been riding their bicycles in a “reckless, dangerous and threatening fashion.”

To control the activity, the city will deploy seasonal officers who recently graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy and increase the presence of officers assigned throughout town.

Police will also issue summonses for reckless and threatening bicycle riding, use unmarked cars to take video of illegal behaviors with officers ready to issue summonses, and use camera systems citywide to identify and verify illegal behavior.

The city will also implement an ordinance holding parents and guardians accountable for lack of supervision and control over juvenile children.

“As always, public safety will be the No. 1 priority for the entire city team,” officials said.

According to their statement, towns throughout the state have been confronting similar issues.

The new procedures in Ocean City come after large crowds were reported Saturday on social media, riding on the boardwalk and against street traffic.

Council President Bobby Barr described the extent of Saturday’s incidents in a letter to Gillian and business administrator George Savastano that he shared in an Ocean City Facebook group.

“Dating back to last year there has been a continuing and escalating problem with bike gangs on the boardwalk,” Barr said. “This past Saturday, April 17th, 2021 these bike gangs were back in full force, intimidating guests, business owners and residents. Boardwalk stores were shuttered, families were run off the boardwalk in fear, and most importantly a young girl needed an ambulance after a confrontation with these thugs.”

In his Facebook post, Barr thanked council officials for taking action against the situation and constituents who reported the events to him on Saturday.

Gillian and Prettyman said the city has also received calls and emails about an assault involving female teenagers on Saturday.

Many of the calls cite incomplete and inaccurate accounts of the incident that were shared on social media, according to officials. Following the incident, three suspects were immediately taken into custody.

The Attorney General’s Directive on Juvenile Justice Reform limits the enforcement actions that may be taken, officials said.

Mayor Gillian has spoken with the victim’s mother and will continue to be in touch with the family.

The Ocean City Police Department urges the community to report illegal behavior as it happens by calling 609-399-9111.

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