A recent report from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police has called for the dissolution of the West Wildwood Police Department, citing systemic failures in leadership, accountability, and operational effectiveness.
The 134-page assessment, conducted over several months, paints a stark picture of a department in disarray, recommending that the tiny borough contract police services from neighboring Wildwood instead.
With a year-round population of just 54 residents—swelling to 5,000 in the summer—West Wildwood has struggled to maintain a functional police force.
As of April, the department consisted of only four full-time officers and one part-time officer, down from eight in 2023.
The report highlights a near-total absence of leadership, noting that the former chief, Jacquelyn Ferentz, has been on leave ahead of retirement, leaving Detective Mark Weeks of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in temporary charge.
Among the most critical findings were a lack of internal affairs oversight, disorganized evidence handling, and inadequate training protocols.
The report states that the department’s policies and procedures are outdated, with no clear chain of command or strategic plan in place.
Security at the police station was deemed insufficient, and no recent audits of evidence storage had been conducted, raising concerns about potential chain-of-custody issues in criminal cases.
Community engagement was also flagged as deficient. “The police department is lacking in community policing and is non-existent with any social media presence to keep residents informed,” the report states. “These functions are essential to building community trust.”
The assessment team, led by Mitchell Sklar of the NJSACOP, concluded that maintaining an independent police force is no longer feasible for West Wildwood.
Instead, they strongly recommended contracting services with the City of Wildwood, citing geographic proximity and cost efficiency.
Wildwood Public Safety Commissioner Steve Mikulski confirmed discussions were underway, praising his department’s resources, including a SWAT team and K-9 unit.
However, not all residents support the move. A Facebook group titled “Save the West Wildwood Police Department” has rallied opposition, arguing that local policing ensures safety in the small community.
Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, representing West Wildwood officers, accused borough officials of deliberately neglecting the department to force its closure.
Union president Spencer Smith claimed the borough has failed to interview candidates for open positions, despite receiving numerous applications.
The future of the West Wildwood Police Department hangs in the balance, but borough residents are not going down without a fight. Yet, for many in this tight-knit community, the police force is more than just a law enforcement agency—it’s a vital part of their identity.
Now, a grassroots campaign is underway to save it. Residents have taken to social media, organizing under the banner “Save the West Wildwood Police Department,” and are working to spread awareness door-to-door.
They’re circulating a letter from a police union official warning of the department’s precarious state, along with notices about the next Board of Commissioners meeting, where the decision may ultimately be made.
Mayor Matthew J. Ksiazek has defended the borough’s transparency and noted ongoing efforts to address staffing issues despite hiring and losing officers recently.
Supporters argue that losing their local police would mean more than just a shift in public safety—it would mean losing a familiar presence in a town where officers know the streets and the people who live on them. But with the state report painting a damning picture of dysfunction, and neighboring Wildwood poised to take over policing duties, the clock is ticking.
If West Wildwood chooses to retain its department, the report suggests alternatives such as sharing a police chief with another municipality or partial overnight coverage agreements. But the assessment makes clear that without sweeping reforms—including hiring a permanent chief, modernizing policies, and implementing rigorous training—the current model is unsustainable.
“The neglect to hire more police officers appears that you would like this department to fail,” Smith wrote in a recent letter to borough officials.
For now, the decision rests with West Wildwood’s elected leaders. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland emphasized that any transition must prioritize public safety, leaving the ultimate fate of the department in the hands of the borough’s commissioners.
As the debate continues, the report’s conclusion remains unambiguous: “It is common for every community to want their own proprietary police department. However, it does not seem feasible in West Wildwood any longer.”