Business owners report theft, underage drinking at Skooners Wharf; police cite summer staffing shortage

Howie Breer, who manages stores on Skooners Wharf, told the council May 29 that his businesses closed early after a weekend in which youths stole merchandise and committed other disruptive acts. “We had to shut down on Sunday night at 8:00 because we were overrun with kids stealing stuff out of the stores,” Breer said, adding that staff found empty beer cans in restrooms and that there had been little police presence on the wharf earlier in the season.

Breer urged the council to direct more police patrols or require private security for large private properties. He described the youth involved as roughly 13 to 15 years old, said some appeared intoxicated and urged business owners and the borough to act to prevent further theft and safety risks.

The Police Chief acknowledged the problem and described persistent staffing constraints. “We hired everybody that applied. We've gone to colleges to recruit... we're still about a third short of what we are budgeted for,” the Chief said, noting the department’s limited capacity to provide continuous coverage on large private properties and advising that private property owners continue to retain security where practicable.

Council members and audience members said Memorial Day events otherwise went well and thanked officers and volunteers, but a number of speakers urged increased prevention measures for peak summer weeks, including stronger private-security plans and neighborhood-watch participation.

The council did not adopt a new enforcement policy at the meeting; members reiterated support for police and asked staff and the chief to continue recruitment efforts and to return with options for targeted patrols and private-security coordination before the peak summer season.