Residents press council on boardwalk bike enforcement, umbrella hazards and Fourth of July crowding; police pledge extra patrols

Atlantic City — Several residents used the public-comment period on June 18 to press the City Council for safety changes on the Boardwalk and beaches and to ask for stepped-up policing for the July Fourth weekend.

Edward Quigley, who said he worked with an ASTM task group and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on a new beach-umbrella standard, told the council the standard specifies anchoring tests and recommended performance for umbrellas in winds up to 30 mph. Quigley said he founded Beach Umbrella Safety and asked the city to consider placing donor-provided signs — “a 12-by-18 aluminum sign” — at beach access points and on the back of lifeguard stands. The transcript records his request but does not show a formal administration response or commitment to install the signs.

Resident Valerie Theo urged the council to revisit enforcement of Boardwalk bicycle rules. She said police enforcement had become heavy-handed and that the city lacks safe, dedicated infrastructure for wheeled users; she asked for painted directional lines, a center lane for wheels-only traffic, and designated walking zones where cyclists would dismount in congested areas. Theo said the current pattern of enforcement is hurting tourism and residents’ quality of life; she offered to work with the city on solutions.

A third commenter, Steve Lascarides, urged a proactive police presence at Caspian Avenue beach on July Fourth, citing violent and disorderly incidents he said occurred last year. Police Chief Sarcos responded directly to that concern, stating the department assigns extra officers for the July weekend and that Caspian Avenue will be among the areas the department will monitor during the holiday.

Why this matters: The Boardwalk and city beaches are central to Atlantic City’s tourism economy and resident quality of life. The city’s choices — signage, bicycle infrastructure and targeted holiday patrols — affect public safety, visitor experience and local business activity.

Next steps: Chief Sarcos confirmed additional officers will be on duty over the July Fourth weekend. The municipal response to the umbrella-signage request and specific steps on bike-infrastructure changes were not recorded during the meeting.