Sixty-Two Arrested in Seaside Heights Boardwalk Melee Early Tuesday Morning
Police Chief Thomas J. Boyd ordered boardwalk shut down around 1 a.m.
All seemed well early Monday night when Seaside Heights Chief of Detectives Steven Korman and his family watched the fireworks display, then hit the boardwalk.
"It was calm," Korman said. "We just walked on the boardwalk, got ice cream. I had my mother-in-law in a wheelchair with us."
The Korman family left between 10 p.m. and 10:30, he said.
But things changed on the boardwalk not long after.
Large crowds began to gather. Fights broke out in various areas of the boardwalk. Police had to use mace in some instances, Korman said.
"I don't know what happened," said Korman, who could not recall a time when the boardwalk was shut down completely. "It obviously isn't a normal thing. I don't know what went wrong."
The disturbances continued to escalate to the point where Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas J. Boyd made the decision to shut the boardwalk down and call for assistance from Toms River and Lavallette, Korman said.
"The chief just said "Enough" and shut it down," he said.
In the end, 62 people - 59 adults and three juveniles - were arrested on a variety of charges.There were 39 disorderly persons arrests, two criminal trespass arrests, seven for interfering with a police investigation, four outstanding warrants, three assaults and seven for controlled dangerous substances, Korman said.
The department has a specific number of officers assigned to shifts on weekends. They patrol the boardwalk area on foot, on bikes, in cars and undercover, he said.
The police department not only has to consider the safety of visitors and residents, but business owners and their employees on the boardwalk, Korman said.
Department officials plan to review all the arrests and discuss whether changes need to be made, he said.
"We'll look at it," Korman said. "I don't think we'll really have to make any changes.This was just out of the blue. Every year it seems different. Every holiday seems different."
The borough had a record day for the number of beach badges sold, Mayor P. Kenneth Hershey said Tuesday morning.
"Our beaches were jammed yesterday," he said "We must be doing something right when people love to come here. Daytime is when our nice visitors come here."
But the late night, early morning hours are different, the mayor said.
"Some rowdies come down," Hershey said. "But the police are there to meet them."
Hershey, who lives on Carteret Avenue in the first house MTV used to film "Jersey Shore," said he planned to speak with Police Chief Thomas Boyd shortly.
"We haven't had any problems till now," he said.
matthew
5:14 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2011
SH 8-4 WE DONT WANT YOU HERE
David Daur
8:48 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Mayor Hershey finally plans to speak with Police Chief Boyd? He states they haven't had any problems till now? Is he insane? The problems are getting worse every year since they've taken MTV's "Blood" money for the "Jersey Shore" show. He must have his head buried in the sand or he's too busy counting the money coming his way for allowing the show to come here and bring the dregs of society with them to ruin this family resort. You've made a deal with the Devil by allowing MTV back here to tape this "unreality" totally staged show that glorifies fighting in the clubs and streets of Seaside. I would act like an idiot cast member for 100k an episode. It's back to Point Pleasant for me, where this kind of behavior is not tolerated all in the name of a few dollars.
just me
6:21 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A job well done by law enforcement -- it doesn't take much for a melee to become a riot. Closing the boardwalk down was a crucial step in desescalating the situation and showing "our visitors" that there are consequences to bad behavior. I hope the word goes out and the trouble makers think twice about frequenting Seaside Hts. without leaving their attitude's back home.
suz
10:02 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Oh boy...here we go again. Seems like once a week there is a problem at Seaside! Perhaps they should not allow any more licenses for additional bars. Perhaps also shutting them down at 12pm from June thru September? A bunch of drunk amateurs seem to rune it for the rest of the hard working people who just want to enjoy the boards. Yikes...it is going to be a long hot summer.
S-MAN
10:26 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2011
That's why I will never go to Seaside again. The place is a dump.
Mare
7:11 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
They need to list the towns where all of these people are from. A big shout out to the police for a dangerous job, well done.
Gus Faella
7:59 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Kudos to the Seaside Heights Police and the surrounding departments. Job well done. Be SAFE
rich
7:31 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
this is a perfect example of why we need to stop police layoffs, and create more jobs for law enforcement. how fast can something like this get out of hand. this world is getting more and more unsafe. hats off to seaside heights police department, and chief boyd
LA RUE
8:01 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
It's july 6th.Think of all the violence that has occured since Memorial Day weekend in S.S.H. That's only been 40 days. Be prepared to read more horror from now to Labor Day.May-be if all the decent family people,{that are the money spenders} stay out of S.S.H...the town will hurt financially.The pockets of the vendors and politicians will no longer be lined by the hard working public.And when it comes down to it.....money will be the reason for change.
Manchester Resident
8:39 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A thought to ponder....Has anyone else realized that since they have aired the reality show "JERSEY SHORE" their has been nothing but problems in Seaside! Look at the patrons that they boardwalk has invited since this show has aired . Seaside was once a wonderful boardwalk to stroll down with your family, not anymore! Thank you to our local police for keeping our local people safe when a hard core riot could have broken out!
mike53
8:44 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Judging from one of the above posts, one can clearly see racial hatred and racism are alive and well in Ocean County. However in Brick we have numerous incidents of young white kids drug dealing, beating up patrons outside convenience stores, bank robberies, car thefts, break- ins, gang fights, etc.. Crime spans all colors not just minorities.
Mare
9:24 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I agree with the racism comment. However, the Brick PD does a very good job of keeping *most* of the crime to the North side of town and that certain condominium complex (MLP). I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
mike53
8:46 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Let's not forget the recent vandalism wave of broken windows, spray painting people's cars and the like by our local kids. Seems the police can NEVER catch any of them. I wonder why??????????????????????
George M. Lobman
9:53 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I recognize that not everyone appreciates every comment, but to make personnel attacks in the Patch site is not something that I have done and appreciate the efforts of Patch to keep personnel stuff out of the site. The mold adds charm for a short time and then I had it removed. In case anyone wants to check again! I will be leaving the site not commenting again since I am sure that there are crazy people out there that would hurt or need to be hurt.
Mare
10:07 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Your comment is not needed and uncalled for. We saw what you wrote and you used profanity in your post. That's most likely why it was removed.
Mac
10:44 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I didn't realize the mayor of Seaside Park had 62 relatives.
Nicholas Loffredo
10:45 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Mare, you're correct. In accordance with our terms of use, we will delete posts and possibly suspend users for racist and/or profane comments.