News

CAPE MAY, NJ – Come One, Come All and join the City of Cape May as they welcome back their annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM. There is a rain date of Sunday, July 6. Lineup is at Noon on New Jersey and Philadelphia Avenues. Watch as the entertainment brings excitement to the city and travels down Beach Avenue from Philadelphia Avenue to Patterson Avenue.

Back in the parade this year is the “Best Decorated” contest. Participants are strongly encouraged to decorate their golf cart, bicycle or baby carriage and show us their Red, White & Blue for a chance to win a prize. 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners will be announced immediately following the parade in front of Beach Patrol Headquarters.

The parade is an annual event to honor our veterans and feature string bands along with many other performing groups, family entries, classic automobiles, veteran organizations, and local officials. Anyone interested in participating in the parade or contest should contact the Cape May Department of Civic Affairs at (609) 884-9565 before June 30^th.

The fireworks extravaganza will be staged on Friday, July 4^th at 9:30 PM from a barge at sea in front of Congress Hall. The rain date is scheduled for July 6^th and will be announced via social media.

Additionally, a variety of free concerts will be held in Rotary Park, located at 400 Lafayette Street. Bring a blanket or chair as seating is limited and enjoy the music beginning at 7:00 PM. The weekend lineup is as follows:

Friday, July 4^th – Chris Yoder Band

Saturday, July 5^th – The Square

Sunday, July 6^th – Quarantined Quartet

Monday, July 7^th – Geno White Trio

For additional information, visit www.capemaycity.com or call 609-884-9565.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capemaycity and follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/capemaycity/.

Cape May, New Jersey – Chief Dekon Fashaw of the Cape May Police Department has announced the arrests of six individuals—Marco Honesty, Richard Francis, Dominique Hayes, DeAndre Dudley, Ilon Coles-Melson, and Marcus Gallmon—all hailing from the greater Washington, D.C., and Maryland areas.

These arrests follow a lengthy, multi-agency investigation involving the Cape May Police Department Detectives, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and numerous other law enforcement agencies, including the police departments of Cherry Hill, Colts Neck, Roxbury, Englewood, Tenafly, Watchung, Haddonfield, Livingston, Millburn, Margate, Branchville, and departments from Armonk, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Reisterstown, MD, along with their respective District Attorney and Prosecutor’s Offices.

The investigation began on May 5, 2024, when Cape May Police officers responded to a burglary in progress at the Queen May Jewelry Store on the Washington Street Mall. Upon arrival, officers found the storefront’s glass door shattered and valuable items stolen, with some strewn across the mall area in front of the business.

Cape May Police and Prosecutor’s Office Detectives processed the scene and recovered video surveillance footage, DNA evidence, and items left behind by the suspects. 

Investigative efforts along with the collaborative efforts of the participating agencies, led to the identification and apprehension of the six suspects for their roles as conspirators and co-conspirators in the theft and subsequent sale or distribution of stolen property.

All suspects have been charged under Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States) and Section 2315 (Sale or Receipt of Stolen Goods, Securities, or Money).

Chief Fashaw emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among Federal, State, County, and Local law enforcement agencies to combat criminal activity. He encourages residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or criminal activity.

A Message from Cape May County Prosecutor Sutherland, “Retail theft rings have been hurting our local businesses which impacts the entire community.  Collaborative efforts between various state and federal law enforcement agencies such as this are needed to catch and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes.”

Tips and information can be reported to:

• Cape May Police Department: (609) 884-9500
• Submit a tip online at CapeMayPolice.org
• Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office: (609) 465-1135
• cmcpo.tips
• Cape May County Sheriff’s Office (Anonymous Tips): cmcsheriff.net
• Cape May County Crime Stoppers: (609) 889-3597

Note: The charges are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Do you have a love for Cape May and a passion for volunteering? We have just the opportunity for you! The City of Cape May's Recreation Department is looking for volunteers for our new Community Center! If you wish to apply or find out more information, please contact Kacie at 609-884-9567 or krattigan@capemaycity.com

The public is encouraged to participate in upcoming Q&A sessions to determine the best location for the Jacob Jones Memorial in Cape May:

The meetings on June 2nd and 3rd will be focused on exploring alternative site options that meet criteria for appropriateness and align with the following Purpose Statement for the Jacob Jones Memorial Monument project:

To co-create and curate the design, construction, ceremonial use, and national awareness of an impressive, accessible, and poignant public memorial for the fallen of the USS Jacob Jones that connects us to and amplifies Cape May’s role in America’s history, 

In a way that moves all participants to deeply value with humility, gratitude, and reverence the loss of these particular lives here, 

So that engaging this memorial serves to help all of us reflect upon, appreciate, and be inspired by how the loss of the Jacob Jones symbolizes all conflicts and forgotten heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend America’s fragile freedom. 

1. Thursday, 29 May: 11:30-1:00 in Council Chambers Jacob Jones Memorial Monument Public Forum Notes.pdf 
2. Monday, 02 June: Zoom session from 6-7:30pm at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7178778038?omn=84969934527
3. Tuesday, 03 June: 11:30-1:00 in Council Chambers

Location Options: Jacob Jones First Location and Jacob Jones Second Location

CAPE MAY, NJ – A monument to honor U.S. Navy sailors who gave their lives during the Second World War’s “Battle of the Atlantic” is being planned for a prominent location in Cape May, N.J.

Cape May is the chosen location because the destroyer the USS Jacob Jones, the first US warship to be attacked by a German U-Boat following Germany’s declaration of war against the United States, was sunk just miles off Cape May’s shoreline. A total of 131 Jacob Jones officers and crew perished.

                At a meeting on Tuesday (4/15), Cape May City Council expressed support for the project, which is being proposed by a group of local leaders that has been working on a project plan and preliminary design of the monument since last summer.

                “We are very grateful to Mayor Mullock and members of Council for their ongoing support of this project, which will be a striking and poignant tribute to the fallen, honoring the countless brave Americans who made ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’ during the battle for control of the Atlantic,” said Myles Martel, founding member of the Jacob Jones Memorial Committee. “It is fitting that we dedicate such an important monument here on the shores so close to the location where World War II vividly and frighteningly came to the American coast.”

The proposed location of the planned monument is a site on Beach Avenue near Howard Street.

“We are grateful to this committed and enthusiastic group of local leaders who are pursuing this project, which will dramatically further Cape May’s reputation for heritage and patriotism. We anticipate that the memorial will draw visitors from across the country,” said Cape May Mayor Zachary Mullock.

               Martel said donations to fund the project will be raised through a nationwide campaign currently being established.

              The Jacob Jones was the first U.S. destroyer deployed in the “Battle of the Atlantic” to patrol German U-Boats. On Feb. 18, 1942, it was attacked off the Cape May coast just days after it began its mission and less than three months after the declaration of war with Germany. At the time of the Jacob Jones sinking, America’s East Coast was particularly vulnerable as Germany significantly disrupted supply routes between North American and Europe.

               Martel said that the Jacob Jones attack had a major impact on U.S. military strategy. “Headlines across the nation carried the news of the tragic deaths of the crew and resulted in an understanding the of the urgent need for improved coastal defense, military preparedness and resilience,” he said.

               “This monument can help ensure that future generations understand the price of freedom, the risk of our nation being exposed to a foreign adversary and the enduring strength of the American spirit. In reverently telling the story of the brave sailors of the Jacob Jones, we will honor and elevate the national recognition of all those who gave their lives in the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ to preserve our precious freedom,” said Martel.

               Leading the design of the monument is John Boecker, a Yale University-trained architect who is a Cape May resident and a founding partner of 7group, a firm that focuses on green buildings, regenerative practice, and design that integrates with the local environment.

               Boecker presented a preliminary design concept for the monument at the Council meeting on April 15th. He said the design will continue to evolve based on a variety of factors, including input from community members as well as fabrication and construction parameters.

For more details on the project, visit www.JacobJonesMemorial.org

Credit: Naval History and Heritage Command 

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Click HERE to view resolution 67-01-2025.