July 20, 2016
There are two kinds of people you will see at the beach: Folks who feed the seagulls, and those who despise the people who feed the seagulls.
If you’re in the latter group, you will be happy to know that the city of Ocean City, New Jersey, has your back. Those pesky, hot dog-stealing, flying scoundrels and their enablers are going to pay – literally. Well, the human half of the duo will.
Last week, Jay Gillian, the mayor of the Jersey Shore town, penned a letter on the city website that not-so-subtlety warned those who feed the seagulls – which is against the law in the city, by the way – of the stiff penalties for doing so (read: a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and up to 90 days in prison).
The letter goes on to say that the city is no longer playing the role of Mr. Nice Guy.
"The Ocean City Police Department in recent years has taken a “be nice, be kind” approach when it comes to minor infractions related to the beach and boardwalk. They try to issue only warnings. That will change.”
Apparently, the city has been having more issues than usual with seagulls this summer, thanks in part to their human friends.
“For the health and safety of both animals and humans, this must stop,” Gillian said in the letter, adding that the city’s police department is also launching an educational campaign that will play on loudspeakers on the boardwalk and appear on signage.
Read the full letter here.
