Beaches In Point Pleasant Beach Will Now Close Earlier

POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Point Pleasant Beach officials say they're taking a significant step in limiting the impact of crowds on the town's beaches.

All beaches will now close at 7 p.m., Mayor Paul Kanitra said. Previously, private beaches such as Jenkinson's stayed open until 9 p.m.

Kanitra said the town is taking action to limit gatherings on the beach after hours and to stop the influx of people seeking to "make their own parties and trashing our shoreline in the process."

"Since the beaches are now closed at 7, it means congregating on the beach after then won’t be allowed," he said. "That should be a huge help to the police since it will stop a lot of this before it even starts."

Point Pleasant Beach is also limiting the size of coolers so that it’s harder to hide contraband, and the town has banned loud music on the beach.

The council established a legal minimum age of 18 for coolers so children "aren't expected to search for substances they legally can't touch," Mayor Paul Kanitra said.

Kanitra said the council also has banned "loud, obnoxious music from being played by those who feel the need to selfishly bother everyone around them."

The council took the measures to ensure beach operators have "some skin in the game" when it comes to restricting public drug and alcohol usage.

Last week, Police Chief Joseph Michigan said there has been a 170 percent increase in drinking-in-public violations, and related ones, this year compared to 2019.

"Based on recent conversations with public officials and residents, many perceive that Point Pleasant Beach has become less of a family vacation destination due to the aforementioned statistics," he said. "This staggering increase threatens the quality of life of our residents, and it is a threat I plan to fight head on."

The actions come after two incidents of crowded beaches and behavior were reported at Jenkinson's Beach and Boardwalk.

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"First and foremost, these measures were taken to stem the tide of disrespect that has been left unchecked for the past 5 years or so," Kanitra said. "You can't just wish problems away. And when things continue to get worse, action, not words, are all that will change the course."

Kanitra said people will still be able to walk the lateral shoreline. People will still be able to go down to the beach for fireworks night, he said. Surfers, fishermen and divers will still be allowed "to do their thing. Your usage of the beach will not see much difference."

"But those who come here to disrespect our town, our residents and our natural resources should take this as a clear message that we have the resolve to do whatever is necessary to stop you from your heinous behavior," he said. "This cannot and will not be allowed to continue."