Mayor: Jenkinson's Is Taking Steps To Limit Point Beach Crowds

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Jenkinson's has been taking steps to limit beach crowds even if photos appear to suggest otherwise, officials said.

Mayor Paul Kanitra said it's his understanding that Jenkinson’s has been limiting badge sales carefully and actually shut down multiple gates on Sunday when the resort felt the crowds got too big.

Kanitra said the Arnold Avenue entrance was shut at 1 p.m. and the gate by The Food Shack on the southern end of town also was shut for three to four hours.

"We do have a limit of wristbands which can be sold at each gate, and once they hit that limit, customers are sent to other areas of the beach which aren’t at capacity yet," said Toby Wolf, a spokesman for Jenkinson's. "If all the gates hit their limit, they would just stop selling badges."

Kanitra and Wolf responded after photos were posted on social media showing what appeared to be too-close-for-comfort crowds on beaches along the Jersey Shore. Read more: Photo Of Long Branch Beach Crowds Draws Ire (Even Peter Frampton)

One photo showed the scene at Jenkinson's:

"They have assured me that a linear photo like this does not show all the 6-foot pockets that existed amongst the crowds," Kanitra said.

Wolf also took a picture, and indicated – even though the pictures were taken on different days – that the perspectives may have an impact on the views.

Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during his Monday news conference, also didn't express much concern, saying he's been working with Jersey Shore communities and "so far, it's been good."

Murphy surmised that "there's not a lot of out-of-state travel happening right now" and New Jersey has had a number of people staying home to enjoy the summer.

"We've had a demand like we've never had," he said.

Murphy also said there is no evidence that beach crowds have led to outbreaks because the virus doesn't spread nearly as easily outdoors as it does indoors.

He believes, however, that indoor graduation parties and other related activities have contributed to local spikes.

Kanitra said Point Pleasant Beach has taken "extraordinary measures this summer to handle both the COVID-19 situation, social distancing and the unruly crowds."

"We have hired additional full time officers, have instituted a beach-buggy patrol that goes up and down the coastline and started weekend code enforcement for the first time in a decade," he said.

Kanitra also noted that the actual checking of badges and capacity on the beaches along the boardwalk are the responsibility of Jenkinson’s.