Some beaches reopen after more syringes are found

Swimmers are being allowed back in the water on the beaches south of 32nd Street in Avalon, and on the beaches north of 46th Street in Ocean City, according to the Cape May County Department of Health.

Both shore towns had closed all beaches this morning after more hypodermic needles washed ashore, and two other towns closed sections of their beaches, as well.

In Strathmere, a syringe was found near the 2200 block of Commonwealth Avenue, and in Sea Isle City, a needle was found between First and Second Streets.

In Avalon, which has been plagued with medical waste washing up on its shores for a week, six more syringes turned up today.

In Ocean City, officials also closed all beaches for the morning after additional needles were found by crews combing the sand this morning.

At a news conference this afternoon, Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi said he believed the syringes found on the city's beaches earlier this week were planted by someone who left them on the sand. The syringes did not appear to have water damage, he said, whereas the needles found today appeared waterlogged.

Five beaches in Ocean City were closed Thursday after a half-dozen syringes were found along an eight-block stretch of the shoreline.

The discovery of more syringes come just as the shorepoints were preparing for the last weekend of the summer.

The most recent discoveries in both towns are believed to be connected and may be from the same batch of waste, said Avalon spokesman Scott Wahl.

Authorities have said the serial numbers on the needles that washed up last Saturday are different from those that were found in Ocean City on Thursday.

Beachgoers in Avalon may still walk through the dry sand, though they will not be permitted on the wet sand or in the ocean until officials are assured the shoreline is safe, Wahl said.

The state has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the source of the debris there.

The Avalon Beach Patrol continued to inspect the beachfront this morning looking for additional medical waste.