Police Presence Expanded for Memorial Day Weekend in Seaside Heights

Police Presence Expanded for Memorial Day in Seaside Heights

Police Presence Expanded for Memorial Day Weekend in Seaside Heights

Will this beach borough have a peaceful Memorial Day weekend this year? Regarding the holiday weekend, Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd stated, "We have 25% more cops that we are going to put on." He also mentioned that drones will be used in addition to law enforcement from the FBI, state police, Ocean County Sheriff's Department, and Department of Homeland Security.

The goal of the borough's increased police presence is to manage the problems that have arisen over the past four Memorial Day weekends, when groups of youths wandered the boardwalk, fighting and causing chaos.

When police dispersed the crowds on Memorial Day last year, the boardwalk was closed at 12:05 a.m. Over that Memorial Day weekend, about ninety people were arrested, continuing a pattern in which the biggest seasonal disruptions occur on the weekend that is regarded as the unofficial start of summer.

Additionally, there were four stabbings; none of the victims cooperated with the authorities, but none were deadly.

Even during the Fourth of July holiday, there were no crowd problems over the remainder of the summer following the chaos on Memorial Day, according to officials.

Police, including many from nearby towns, and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Department were called to Long Branch's Pier Village neighborhood on May 19 of this year after groups of teenagers and young adults congregated there, obstructing traffic and walking on the streets, boardwalk, and beach. Eventually, the mob was dispersed by police.

Boyd pointed out that compared to even 25 years ago, when 300 to 400 arrests were usually made during the lengthy Memorial Day weekend, Seaside Heights is now a much quieter environment. However, reducing the level of disorder on the boardwalk is crucial if the borough wants to re-establish itself as a "family friendly" destination.

The Borough Council passed a number of rules in June of last year with the goal of reducing the chaos that has been plaguing Seaside Heights over the past few Memorial Day weekends.

Except for diaper bags and medical equipment, backpacks are not allowed on the boardwalk. On Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on the Fourth of July and Memorial Day weekends, the boardwalk will be closed from 1 to 6 a.m.

Sunday through Thursday nights, it will close at midnight.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a curfew for people under 18 at 10 p.m.

Vaz stated that he intends to spend the weekend on the boardwalk after 6 p.m. and that Chief Boyd has the authority to close the boards if it seems like things are getting out of hand. Officials are hopeful that crowds will remain under control because chilly, rainy weather is predicted for this weekend.