4th Jersey Shore Bar Breaks Coronavirus Order Within Week: Police

JERSEY SHORE – Another Jersey Shore bar has been cited for breaking Gov. Phil Murphy's coronavirus orders, police said this weekend.

At least four have now been called out for violating social distancing guidelines and not following other safety protocols within the last week.

The latest incident happened on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 12:34 a.m. when North Wildwood Police investigated Flip Flopz bar for being in violation of the governor's executive orders, police said.

The incident happened as Gov. Phil Murphy said he's ready to shut down Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach and two other bars if patrons don't engage in social distancing.

Murphy, speaking during a recent news conference, called out patrons at Jenkinson's, D'Jais in Belmar and Donovan's Reef in Sea Bright after they were seen not social distancing in photos. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Jenkinson's Will 'Shut' If Patrons Don't Behave

The North Wildwood probe specifically targeted the Flip Flopz bar's failure to adhere to social distancing regulations, police said.

Officers on the scene witnessed large amounts of patrons crowded around the upstairs, outside patio bar at Flip Flopz known as "Tiki Topz" with social distancing regulations not being enforced by staff, police said.

The police department received complaints for repeated violations of the governor's executive Order on prior occasions before this incident and had warned Flip Flopz management, police said.

Following COVID protocol, the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the incident and authorized charges.

The owner of Flip Flopz, Joseph Mahoney Jr., 34, of Mt. Laurel was charged with a disorderly persons offense. Mahoney was later served with a summons.