By MADDY VITALE
Sea Isle City closed its beaches and the oceanfront Promenade on March 27 to further social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police put up barriers and signs at the front of the Promenade and entrance to the beaches detailing to the public that the restriction would be enforced.
And on Wednesday, the Sea Isle Police Department posted a reminder on its Facebook page reiterating why it is so important not to violate the orders to “help keep us and our families safe and healthy.”
The post reads: “The barriers that have been placed over the entrances and access ways to both the beaches and the promenade should not be crossed, taken down, or damaged in any way.”
The state is “still operating under a Department of Health Emergency, as well as a State of Emergency that was ordered by Governor Murphy, and the Stay at Home Orders and non-essential travel restrictions are still in place,” it also states.
When Mayor Leonard Desiderio closed the beaches and the resort’s oceanfront Promenade on March 27, he noted in his message to the community, “Sea Isle City’s beach and Promenade are our greatest attraction, and as such are a prime spot for social gatherings, that we’ve been ordered by Governor Murphy to stop,” Desiderio said.
The mayor continued, “Our challenge in local government is to take the necessary steps to ensure that we enable everyone to comply with the governor’s orders not to have social gatherings and to maintain proper social distancing.”
Throughout recent weeks, beaches closed in the state and even in Cape May County have begun to open up. The neighboring communities of Stone Harbor and Avalon opened their beaches Friday. Desiderio announced Thursday that Sea Isle's beaches and Promenade may reopen as early as next week.
A barrier blocks access to a walkway leading to Sea Isle City's now-closed Promenade during the coronavirus pandemic.
While it is unclear if anyone tried to remove Sea Isle's beach barriers, the police posted a warning that anyone seen doing so would be subject to arrest and charges for violating an executive order.
“While we understand the eagerness to use our city's recreational areas, and the frustration that these closures have caused, we are asking for everyone's continued understanding and cooperation as we take steps to once again reopen our facilities,” the Facebook posting reads.
Sea Isle City Public Information Officer Katherine Custer said Friday, “We all realize that people are eager to get back on the beach, but it is very important that everyone follows the restrictions that are in place now so we can demonstrate that we as a community will follow all safety directives when the beaches are opened again in the future.”
Custer added, “It’s quite clear that social distancing and other regulations will be required for some time to come, so we ask that everyone does their part now and when our beaches open again.”
With more than 100 comments on the police department’s Facebook post by Friday, many of them were in support of the department and the city’s continued enforcement of the beach and Promenade closures.
Some of the postings are as follows:
Kathy Flynn, “Thanks for all you do!”
Myra Allen said, “Stay safe.”
Kelly O'Hara summed up the sentiment, “As much as I miss the beach...I am happy to read this today. Thank you for keeping our community safe.”
Police ask anyone who sees someone removing or damaging the beach barriers to report it to the Sea Isle City Police Department at (609) 263-4311 ext. 0.
