Ocean City may soon require musicians to get permits before they will be allowed to solicit money on its Boardwalk.
The southern New Jersey resort town doesn't have laws that govern these types of activities. But authorities tell The Press of Atlantic City that more performers are regularly attracting large crowds that can impede pedestrian traffic on the Boardwalk.
“This doesn’t happen in isolated incidents,” City Prosecutor Don Charles told the Press of Atlantic City. “This happens every day throughout the summer, concentrated primarily in heavily traveled pedestrians areas.”
The permit proposal was introduced at last week's City Council meeting and may be considered for adoption on Thursday. But officials say it remains a work in progress, and they haven't decided how much to charge for a permit.
But Flossi Micciolo, director of the Ocean City Repertory Theater, told the Press she could immediately think of musicians in town who would not go through the process of getting a permit even if it were free.
“It’s nice to get up and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to go play my guitar on the Boardwalk today,’” she said.
If approved, only musicians who solicit donations would need permits. People could still perform without a permit, but wouldn't be allowed to accept anything of value in return.
The next Ocean City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean City Free Public Library at 1735 Simpson Avenue in lecture hall Room N110, according to the paper.
