Walk down Washington Street Mall on a Tuesday in July, and it feels like the whole world is packed into this tiny seaside town. It’s loud. It’s crowded. There are kids with melting ice cream and cyclists who aren't quite sure where the bike lane ends and the sidewalk begins. Right in the middle of this chaos is the Cape May Police Dept, a law enforcement agency that has to pivot from protecting a sleepy town of roughly 2,800 permanent residents to managing a massive seasonal population that swells into the tens of thousands. It’s a weird balancing act. Honestly, most people only think about them when they’re trying to find parking or if they’ve had a bit too much fun at a local tavern, but there’s a lot more going on behind the badge at 643 Washington Street.
The Reality of Policing a National Historic Landmark
You can't just throw a modern police precinct into the middle of a town that prides itself on Victorian architecture without some friction. The Cape May Police Dept operates out of a facility that has to respect the aesthetic of the nation's oldest seaside resort while maintaining 21st-century standards for public safety. It’s not just about catching bad guys; it's about crowd control, historic preservation, and—believe it or not—endless questions about beach tags.
Chief Dekon Fashaw leads the department now, and he’s been vocal about the "community policing" model. This isn't just a buzzword. In a town this small, the cops know the shop owners. They know which Victorian houses are rentals and which ones belong to the families who have lived here for four generations. But when the summer hits, that intimacy gets tested. The department has to bring on Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEOs) just to keep up. These are often younger officers or those in training who handle the "quality of life" issues—think noise complaints, parking enforcement, and making sure nobody is drinking a beer on the sand.
Why the "Small Town" Vibe is Deceiving
If you look at the raw data, Cape May seems like a low-crime paradise. And mostly, it is. However, the Cape May Police Dept deals with a high volume of calls that never make the evening news. We’re talking about lost children on the beach, medical emergencies in 90-degree heat, and the logistical nightmare of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry traffic.
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- Traffic accidents on Route 109 are a constant headache.
- Bicycle thefts are surprisingly common during peak season.
- The department frequently coordinates with the Coast Guard because of the town's proximity to the TRACEN (Training Center) Cape May.
Most people don't realize how much the department relies on inter-agency cooperation. Because Cape May is at the very tip of the peninsula, they are somewhat isolated. If something big happens, they aren't just calling the next town over; they’re working with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police.
Cape May Police Dept and the Parking Struggle
Let’s be real. If you’ve ever been to Cape May, your primary interaction with the law was probably looking for a parking spot. The Cape May Police Dept oversees parking enforcement, and in a town where every inch of asphalt is contested, they have to be strict. It’s not because they want to ruin your vacation. It's because emergency vehicles—fire trucks and ambulances—literally cannot get through some of these narrow Victorian streets if people park illegally.
- The meters are high-stakes.
- The residential parking permits are strictly enforced.
- Parked the wrong way on a one-way? You’re getting a ticket.
There's a specific kind of stress that comes with patrolling a "vacation" zone. Officers have to be part-ambassador and part-enforcer. You’ll see them on foot or on bicycles, which is basically a necessity. A patrol car is useless when the traffic is backed up all the way to the bridge.
Modern Challenges in an Old Town
Body cameras. Use-of-force reports. Transparency. These are the things the Cape May Police Dept has had to integrate into their daily routine, just like any big-city department. The New Jersey Attorney General has some of the strictest police oversight rules in the country. This means that even in a town known for gingerbread houses and bed-and-breakfasts, the police work is highly regulated and scrutinized.
One thing that often surprises visitors is the department’s involvement in the "Project Medicine Drop." It’s a program where you can anonymously dispose of old prescriptions. It sounds minor, but in the context of the opioid crisis that has hit many parts of New Jersey, it’s a critical piece of public health work the department manages quietly.
Navigating Local Laws: What Will Actually Get You in Trouble?
You might think everything is relaxed at the shore, but the Cape May Police Dept is pretty firm on a few specific things. Knowing these can save you a very expensive trip to the municipal court.
The Beach Tag Situation
You need them. They check them. Don't try to argue that the ocean is public property—New Jersey law allows municipalities to charge for beach access to cover the cost of lifeguards and cleaning. The police support the beach patrol in enforcing this.
Public Consumption
Cape May is not New Orleans. You cannot walk down the street with a cocktail. This is one of the most common reasons for a "chat" with an officer. They generally aren't looking to arrest a tourist for having a glass of wine on their porch, but if you take it to the sidewalk, you're asking for trouble.
Bicycles and Lights
This is a big one. The Cape May Police Dept takes bike safety seriously because the streets are so cramped. If you're riding at night without a light, expect to be stopped. It’s a safety issue, plain and simple.
The Human Element
The officers here are part of the fabric of the community. You’ll see them at the elementary school, participating in "National Night Out," and helping out during the Christmas parade. When the "Polar Bear Plunge" happens, they’re the ones standing in the cold making sure nobody gets hypothermia.
It’s easy to view any police department as a faceless entity, especially when you’re just passing through. But in Cape May, the department is small enough that the "faceless" part doesn't really exist. They are deeply invested in the town’s reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination. If the town gets a reputation for being rowdy or dangerous, the economy—which relies almost entirely on tourism—collapses.
Practical Steps for Residents and Visitors
If you need to interact with the Cape May Police Dept, don't just show up at the station for non-emergencies.
- For non-emergencies: Call (609) 884-9500. This is the dispatch number. Use it for reporting a blocked driveway or a lost dog.
- Records Requests: If you need a police report for an accident, you’ll likely need to go through the OPRA (Open Public Records Act) process. You can do this via the city’s official website.
- Social Media: They are surprisingly active on Facebook. It’s actually the best place to check for road closures during storms or big events like the Cape May Music Festival.
- Property Checks: If you own a summer home and you're heading back to Philly or New York for the winter, you can actually notify the department. They don't "guard" your house, but it’s good for them to know which properties should be vacant in case they see lights on at 2:00 AM in January.
The Cape May Police Dept manages the friction between a historic past and a busy, complicated present. They aren't just there to write tickets; they're the logistics managers for a town that's constantly trying not to burst at the seams. Whether it's managing the surge of "shoobies" in the summer or keeping an eye on the boardwalk during a winter nor'easter, their presence is the reason the "Jersey Shore" experience in Cape May feels so much different—and a lot calmer—than the towns further north.
Stay aware of the local ordinances, keep your bike lights on, and remember that even in paradise, there are rules. If you treat the officers with the same respect you’d want in your own neighborhood, you’ll find that the policing in Cape May is as professional as it gets.