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Resident urges tougher downtown enforcement; commissioners say they will review authority and plans
Summary
During the June 2 Millville City Commission meeting, resident Darius Smith urged a cross-departmental enforcement plan to address open-air drug activity, public drinking, illegal dirt bikes and other nuisance behavior downtown; commissioners said staff and the solicitor will review options and enforcement authority.
Darius Smith, a Second Street resident, told the Millville City Commission on June 2 that downtown public spaces are being undermined by "public drinking, loitering, open-air drug activity, prostitution, illegal dirt bikes, ATVs, reckless e-bikes, trash, broken lights, vagrancy, gambling" and asked the city for a formal enforcement plan addressing repeat nuisance areas and licensed-premises safety after violent incidents.
"Can the residents use these spaces safely, cleanly, and comfortably?" Smith asked, urging the commission to consider security plans, mandated ID checks and ABC licensing review for establishments after shootings or serious fights.
Commissioner Taylor acknowledged the concerns and said public-safety leadership is already engaged. "The chief and the lieutenant of the detective division, Lieutenant Ayers, have been working on those problems, and they're going to be talking to the ABC," Taylor said, adding that the city is evaluating services and that solutions are constrained by staffing and budget needs.
Commissioner Renallo and others described on-the-ground cleanup and outreach efforts—pressure washing in parks, volunteer and service-provider contacts with encampments, and planning for the closed walking trail—but said some repairs require a funding-backed plan before work can proceed.
Mayor Dixon said he would consult with the city solicitor about the commission's legal authority to hold hearings for bar owners and to require security measures. "I do believe the commission has the authority and the power to deal with these things directly," the mayor said, urging use of "everything at our disposal that we have in the law to help control this town." The solicitor confirmed he would provide guidance after the meeting.
The commission did not take formal legislative action at the meeting on a new enforcement ordinance; instead, members described follow-up steps: staff and police will continue investigations, the solicitor will advise on legal authority and processes, and commissioners said they will consider hearings or administrative review where permitted. No timetable for those follow-ups was given.
The public-safety exchange followed other agenda business including routine resolutions and community-event approvals. The commission closed the meeting after the solicitor returned and further discussion of next steps between the mayor and staff.
