REHOBOTH BEACH, DE — Rehoboth Beach officials are considering a youth curfew after a series of incidents involving large crowds of young people prompted safety concerns among residents and local businesses.
The Rehoboth Beach Police Department released a statement this week addressing two separate incidents between April 30 and May 2, saying it is aware the events may have caused alarm.
“Our mission to safeguard our community remains tireless,” the department said in the statement. “The Rehoboth Beach Police Department responds to and fully investigates all reports of criminal activity.”
On April 30 around 5:12 p.m., officers responded to the ocean block of Rodney Street for a report of multiple parking violations. Upon arrival, police found 10 to 12 parking infractions and encountered a group of roughly 250 people on the beach. Officers observed loud music and several individuals smoking. The group was described as cooperative, and no citations were issued.
Later that evening at 7:11 p.m., officers responded to a report that some in the same group had been urinating in the dunes. No violations were observed, though police remained on scene to monitor activity. A large amount of trash was reportedly left behind by the following morning, though officers said they did not witness anyone littering.
In a separate incident on May 2 at around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to a reported large fight in the ocean block of Rehoboth Avenue. Police said they arrived to find no active fighting, but encountered a crowd of around 100 people matching the reported description. Due to the size of the crowd and the nature of the call, backup was requested. Delaware State Police and Dewey Beach Police responded and helped disperse the crowd.
Two victims sustained minor injuries and were treated by EMS. Police say the victims were not cooperative with the investigation. A third person reported damage to their car as a result of the altercation. That investigation remains ongoing.
City commissioners discussed the possibility of a youth curfew at a workshop Monday. City Manager Taylour Tedder noted he could implement an emergency curfew while commissioners finalize the details, but that he would first have to discuss with the city solicitor and stakeholders.
Some residents support the idea.
“Who wants to come to the boardwalk, rowdy people being on the boardwalk, walking up and down the boardwalk?” said local resident Jim Hynson. “It would just lead to crazier things, I think, happening. So if you nip it in the bud really fast, then you don’t have a problem.”
Others said a curfew might be ineffective or even counterproductive.
“I just feel like it’s gonna exhaust the enforcement we have here with officers—kids are always gonna be kids,” said Bryanna Boyd. “It’s gonna push the kids to be more rebellious, and it’s just gonna cause maybe more problems.”
Ken Weinberg, who was visiting the boardwalk, suggested that providing more structured activities could help ease tensions.
“Maybe one of the reasons they’re doing it is because they’re not feeling welcome, they’re not feeling included,” Weinberg said. “And if they felt that a little more they might say hey, this place is actually trying to accommodate us and give us cool things to do, and maybe we won’t give them such a hard time when they’re down here.”
City officials say the curfew proposal could be discussed further at the next commissioners' meeting on May 16.
Anyone with information about the May 2 incident is asked to contact the Rehoboth Beach Police Department at 302-227-2577 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333. Tipsters may remain anonymous.