Wildwood moves to close its boardwalk overnight
"I'm sure we're going to hear a lot of whining from certain businesses," said Mayor Ernie Troiano. "This is a security situation."
The city of Wildwood took the first step toward closing its famously raucous Boardwalk to the public between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. year-round, officials said.
The ordinance passed on first reading on April 8, and will have its second reading and adoption vote at a meeting of Wildwood City Commissioners on April 22 at 5 p.m., said Mayor Ernie Troiano.
He described the measure as “a security situation.” Two summers ago, Troiano declared a state of civil unrest after midnight to control and clear crowds of young people on the boardwalk.
Last summer, they brought in police on horseback to control Memorial Day weekend crowds. The beach is already subject to a 10 p.m. closure, and anyone under 18 is subject to a 10 p.m. curfew on the Boardwalk.
“I’m sure we’re going to hear a lot of whining from certain businesses,” said Troiano. “This is a security situation.”
It was not clear how many businesses would be affected by this, as most pizza places and other late night food spots typically close by 1 a.m.
Steve Mikulski, deputy mayor and commissioner of public safety, said in a statement:
“These hours are designed to limit late-night crowds and support a welcoming friendly atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the best of our Boardwalk.”.
“We fully support our Boardwalk businesses,” he said. “This is not about limiting business activity.”
Resort destinations at the Shore and around the country, from Ocean City, N.J. to Miami Beach, have contended with crowds who coalesce around social media posts and descend on their towns.
Troiano referenced the 2025 truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans as an event that changed people’s thinking about security. Wildwood has installed bollards at boardwalk ramps to block vehicles, he said.
“It’s an enforcement issue,“ said Troiano. “During the summer time, we become the third most populous city in the state of New Jersey, after Jersey City and Newark. Look at their police force and look at our police force, night and day.”
The measure would not apply to emergency personnel in the performance of their duties, authorized city employees, contractors, vendors, or others authorized by the city or police.
Signs will be installed along the Boardwalk, and enforcement will be the responsibility of the Wildwood Police Department, the city said.
“We’ll get feedback and we’ll act accordingly,” Troiano said.
John Donio, president of the Wildwood Business Improvement District, which covers businesses in downtown Wildwood, said, “Any business that’s open at 1 a.m. on the Boardwalk in Wildwood in 2026 was not doing gangbusters income at 1 a.m. anyway.”
“I think it’s another measure to let the public know we’re taking whatever measures we can to make sure everybody’s safe and has a good vacation,” Donio said.
