Beach Patrol Lifeguard Arrested

UPDATE: The charges against John Nicklous were dismissed Sept. 11, 2014 by Judge Louis Belasco of City of Cape May Municipal Court. 
CAPE MAY – On the evening of Aug. 4, John P. Nicklous, a seasonally employed lifeguard with the Cape May City Beach Patrol, was stopped for a speeding violation by city police at the intersection of Park Boulevard and Congress Street. During the stop further investigation led police to arrest Nicklous for unlawful possession of marijuana and for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nicklous, a resident of Philadelphia, was charged and released on a summons. An appearance in Cape May Municipal Court is pending.
The Beach Patrol regularly hires seasonal employees to man the beaches open to the public. The employees are hired in an “at will” category and are subject to immediate termination if circumstances warrant such action. Based on the arrest, City Manager Bruce MacLeod confirmed that Nicklous was terminated Aug. 4. MacLeod indicated that Nicklous was on his way to work his shift when the police stop occurred.
The City of Cape May hired its first paid profession lifeguards back in 1911, giving the Beach Patrol a long history of service to the city. Since 1981 the members of the patrol vote an award, Lifeguard of the Year, for the individual “who has excelled at every aspect of lifeguarding.” The beach patrol’s website shows that Nicklous, who has worked there for several summers, was the recipient of that award in 2009.
Nicklous’ Facebook page contains many references and photographs related to his time with the Beach Patrol.
MacLeod noted that the city has two contracts in place, one for the members of the patrol and the other for its lieutenants. He added that the contracts and associated employee regulations give the city the right to conduct drug testing for employees.
MacLeod did not indicate if such testing would be enacted for the Beach Patrol. Beach Patrol officials had no comment when contacted.
Post-season beach closings
Beach users in Cape May will notice a reduction in the number of lifeguards. The closing of beaches because of a dwindling supply of guards is a commonplace of this time of year. Annually the city opens it beaches on a staggered schedule ensuring that the maximum number of beaches are open at the peak of the tourist season.
Beaches are closed in the reverse of that process. This week, a number of the beaches were closed to swimming and unguarded.
Many members of patrol are enrolled in institutions of higher education or are in school teaching positions.
The summer seasonal employment positions allow them to begin leaving Cape May as school years begin in their home areas.
Nicklous listed his occupation as construction.
As in all arrests, subjects are presumed innocent of all charges until proven otherwise in court.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.