Barrier Island Curfew Returns In Toms River To Deter Rowdy Teens

TOMS RIVER, NJ — "It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?"

That TV ad from the 1980s has new meaning for parents and guardians these days, and the Toms River Police Department hope they can answer that question to make sure their children aren't out roaming the streets on the barrier island, as a curfew for kids 17 and younger resumes Friday.

The police department announced the return of what has become an annual curfew on the department's Facebook page Friday. It is from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and applies both in Ortley Beach and the North Beach section of Toms River, which lies between Brick and Lavallette.

All teens 17 and younger must be off the streets as of 10 p.m. unless they are with a parent or guardian, or returning home from work, traveling Exceptions include medical emergencies, teens travel to and from gainful employment, travel to and from religious or education functions, and travel to and from a private gathering, officials said.

Toms River police began setting the curfew in 2020 and used it in 2021. In 2022 it was reinstated after a chaotic July 4th weekend that resulted in 24 complaints specifically about unruly kids on the barrier island in a three-day weekend that saw 195 calls to that part of the township.

That included a fight at Barnacle Bill's Amusements where two officers were injured. Two teens were arrested that weekend, including a 16-year-old girl from Millburn who was intoxicated and tried to hit a police officer, police said.

Read more: Ortley Beach Fight Among 600 Police Calls In Toms River Over July 4th; Belligerent Teens, Arrests, Damage: Toms River Police July 4 Report

Neighboring Lavallette and Seaside Heights also have curfews for kids under age 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.