Good news: Margate is enjoying a greater influx of families, real estate investment and summer visitors. Not so good news: Did Margate forget about those too old for adult supervision, but too young to drink in a club?
That’s why hundreds might gather on the beaches & streets of Margate during the warm, summer months, especially Memorial Day Weekend. The first official weekend of summer, coincides with ‘senior week’. The need for teens to let loose. For some, alcohol plays a major, if not mandatory, role. Sometimes, a fight breaks out.
Over the years, Margate has become a popular magnet for this annual rite of passage. This past Memorial Day Weekend in Margate, it went too far.
Margate Police Chief David Wolfson recapped the Margate beach brawl and WaWa loiterig issue at the June 1 commissioner meeting. Listen to audio >
Margate Club WaChief Wolfson pledges that this kind of situation will never happen again. “Club Wa is over”. We’re placing our bets on the Chief living up to that pledge.
382 calls for police service on Memorial Day Weekend. Some arrested for disorderly conduct. Twenty under the age of 20 were cuffed for underage drinking, marijuana and disorderly conduct.
Yes, there was a small fight on beach. Many teens watched jeered, laughed and shouted as the 6-man police detail, which was already there, removed the unruly few. Private video from smart phones show only a small part of the situation. Some clips show sand being kicked at officers. Reports of plastic bottles aimed at police officers were also noted.
Since the Margate PD wears body cams, all of the incidents were recorded from multiple angles.
Commissioner Amodeo was impressed with how the police officers handled this. “They did a fantastic job in a difficult situation.” Mayor Becker: “Public safety did great job…even though we got bad press.”
Potential Solutions to Curb the Crazy?
Maybe we can start the Margate beach-tag season earlier than current start date of June 1. Starting beach tag inspections as early as Memorial Day Weekend, could reduce the number of attendees at these informal gatherings.
Wawa will employ 2 off-duty Margate police officers during the evening hours.
Social media is being monitored. It’s the end of Club Wa, the nickname given to the parking lot of WAWA at the corner of Washington & Ventnor Ave in Margate. The corporate hierarchy of WAWA might have already agreed to reimburse Margate police for any overtime expenses connected to their property. Look for ‘No Loitering’ signs to go up soon too.
Social Media postings show teens scoffing at recent efforts to ‘entertain them’. Efforts by the Margate Business Association, like movie nights, dances, and other un-cool beach events may not have connected with those between 16 and 20 years of age.
18 & 19 yr Old’s Find Some Margate Events Childish.
One 8th grade Tighe student, Harrison Horn, spoke at the June 1 Margate City Commissioners meeting. Listen to audio. He said too many events are ‘childish’. ‘Teens like him just want a place to hang out and talk’. Congregate. Mingle. Meet the opposite sex. Makes sense to us.
Another 19 yr old part-time resident of Margate said girls her age are not impressed with ‘forced’ events by created by old farts.
According to the Press of Atlantic City, the local business chamber has finally been awakened to the needs of young adults in Margate. Ed Berger, president of the Margate Chamber said: “We now know there’s a problem with teens needing something to do, whether that falls on the shoulders of city or business association or the families, we don’t know”.
The post Club Wa is Now Closed. Challenge of Catering to Margate Teens. appeared first on Margate, Ventnor & Downbeach BUZZ.