WILDWOOD – The threat of an out-of-control pop-up party scheduled for Saturday, July 12, on the Wildwood beach has gotten the attention of the Police Department, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and others who do not want unsanctioned mass gatherings in the Shore town.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Police Chief Joseph Murphy issued a joint statement March 14 about an ongoing investigation into a social media post promoting a pop-up party, dubbed “Project X,” in Wildwood this summer.

The investigation was launched after concerns were raised by the promotion of the event, which has not been approved by local authorities. In their statement, Sutherland and Murphy said they were committed to preventing any illegal, unsanctioned gatherings that may compromise public safety and disrupt the peace of the community.

“We are fully aware of the risks that these unsanctioned ‘pop-up’ parties pose to public safety, including crowd-control issues, the potential for violence and the strain they place on our law enforcement resources,” Sutherland said. “We are actively working to identify the individuals behind the promotion of this event and will pursue every legal avenue to prevent it from taking place.”

Mayor Ernie Troiano was quoted on a social media site as saying, “We will be on top of it.”

In September 2022, an unsanctioned car rally in Wildwood, referred to as an H2Oi car rally for the type of vehicles being used, led to the deaths of two people, other injuries and four arrests. One of those arrested, Gerald White of Pittsburgh, was charged with two counts of first-degree vehicular homicide.

In June 2024, the Police Department was able to thwart a planned pop-up beach party that was being organized via social media. The police persuaded the organizers to cancel the event.

Murphy also reminded legal guardians that Wildwood has a 10 p.m. curfew for all juveniles, which he said is strictly enforced. Additionally, the police now have the authority and will pursue charges against guardians for allowing their sons or daughters to be out after 10 p.m. without their parent or guardian.

Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.