Middle resolves to seek preventive strategies after brush with rogue car rallies
Mayor praises police response, expects criminal charges after chaotic weekend
Middle Township is participating in a multi-agency investigation after a weekend of unsanctioned car rallies that menaced area streets and killed two people in nearby Wildwood.
The Township is also exploring possible ordinances like those enacted by Ocean City, Md., following similar gatherings.
Mayor Tim Donohue recounted Middle’s response to the “lawless mayhem” that descended on the area Friday night in a Facebook post:
After drivers filled the Lowe’s parking lot, Middle adopted a proactive approach to prevent gatherings in other large parking lots across the Township’s 72 miles, Donohue said. The Middle Township Police Department was prepared to control all major parking areas overnight with the help of staff and vehicles from Public Works. Twelve units from the New Jersey State Police assisted the Township on Sunday morning.
“While local and state law enforcement agencies were aware of this unsanctioned event coming to our area, no one anticipated the sheer volume of cars arriving so suddenly from multiple states,” Donohue said in the statement. “We can state that due to our best efforts, there were no serious injuries or major property damage in the Township.”
Donohue said the Township is praying for families and victims of the out-of-control car rallies on Saturday night in Wildwood, where a number of people were seriously injured in addition to the two who were killed.
“The criminal element within these groups, from outside our county, with absolutely zero respect for the law or for the safety and welfare of our communities, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The message must be loud and clear,” Donohue said.
The Township plans to share any relevant updates with residents, but for now, is awaiting the outcome of the investigation. Donohue issued a statement in collaboration with Chief Christopher Leusner, Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy and Committeeman Jim Norris.
“As we are involved in an ongoing investigation, in partnership with several law enforcement agencies and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, we will have no further comment at this time.,” the statement said.
