Boardwalk Shutdown At Jersey Shore Stirs Demand For Tougher Laws On Unruly Behavior

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — The shutdown of the boardwalk in Seaside Heights overnight Sunday into Memorial Day and the reports of nearly 90 arrests over the weekend are prompting calls for Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matthew Platkin to give law enforcement more tools and support.

The shutdown that happened just after midnight — two hours after Seaside Heights' 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles went into effect — came shortly after a stabbing. the third one of the weekend, was reported and as thousands of people milled around.

The boardwalk shutdown was called at 12:05 a.m. Monday by Police Chief Thomas J. Boyd as "a proactive approach to ensure public safety," said Detective Steve Korman, a department spokesman. There had been multiple fights during the weekend.

About 100,000 people poured into Seaside Heights for the holiday weekend, Korman said. It is seen as the unofficial kickoff of the summer season, drawing tourists looking to shake off the chill of winter and spring. Seaside Heights also has long been a destination for post-prom parties, though the borough has taken steps to try to curtail some of those issues by banning short-term rentals to those under 21 from April 15 through June 30 (rentals are required to have two people 21 or older on the premises at that time, or at least one person 25 or older).

The borough also has a curfew for those under 18, barring them from being out and about without a parent or guardian from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., with very limited exceptions.

Videos shared on Instagram and TikTok from Saturday and Sunday in particular show throngs of people walking the boardwalk, clips of arrests, and police forcing people to leave the boardwalk after it was shut down.

There were 73 arrests from Friday through 6 a.m. Monday, with 52 adults and 21 juveniles taken into custody, Korman said.

There were 14 more arrests on Monday, bringing the weekend total to nearly 90, and another stabbing, Seaside Heights police told the Asbury Park Press. Police Chief Thomas Boyd said Memorial Day weekend 2025 was worse than in 2024 with fights and unruly behavior.

"It was not only kids. These were the most belligerent people I've ever seen," the report quoted Boyd as saying. "They had no respect for the police."

This weekend isn't the only time the Seaside Heights boardwalk has been shut down. In 2011, a melee that erupted in the early hours of July 5 led Boyd to shut down the boardwalk and its businesses then. There were 62 arrests during that incident.

The events of the weekend prompted sharp criticism of Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matthew Platkin by the Aberdeen Police Benevolent Association, which called the behavior "the predictable result of policies that have handcuffed law enforcement, empowered lawbreakers, and ignored the safety and quality of life of our communities."

"Once again, the streets of Seaside Heights are being turned into a battleground of chaos, disorder, and disrespect — and once again, police officers are left to clean up the mess with nothing more than lip service from the leaders in Trenton," the Aberdeen PBA statement said. "Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin — your failure to act decisively in the face of growing lawlessness is an insult to the men and women who wear the badge and to every resident and business owner in Seaside Heights and throughout this state."

"Your reluctance to support tougher enforcement, your silence in the face of repeated public safety breakdowns, and your misguided priorities have emboldened the very behavior you claim to oppose. Simply put, while you’re making political theatre the state is falling apart," the statement said.

"The people of New Jersey deserve better. Our officers are outnumbered, overworked, and constantly second-guessed — not by the public, but by the political class that refuses to stand behind them," the PBA said. "We call on the Governor and Attorney General to immediately address the public safety crisis in Seaside Heights and across our shore communities. That means more officers, stronger penalties, real consequences for lawbreakers, and the full backing of the state’s highest offices — not politically motivated restraints that tie the hands of law enforcement."

"It’s time for our so-called leaders to either back the badge or get out of the way. We stand with the members of the Seaside Heights Police Department. It would be nice to see the political class in Trenton do the same," the statement said.

A request for comment from Murphy's office was not immediately answered Tuesday afternoon.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick, one of the Republican candidates for governor, issued a statement Tuesday labeling what happened on the boardwalk "a riot," and calling for mandatory jail time.

"A serious message must be sent that this type of behavior will not be tolerated." Bramnick said. "Participating in a riot must be met with mandatory jail time. As Governor I will make sure those who take part in these riots are met with stiff penalties."

Seaside Heights authorities have not labeled the weekend's events as riots and did not respond to a request for comment on Bramnick's statement or that of the Aberdeen PBA.

A bill pending in the state Legislature, A-4652, would establish the crime of inciting a public brawl, which would give law enforcement the ability to deal with issues caused by the pop-up parties and belligerent, rowdy behavior.

Murphy conditionally vetoed the bill on May 8, and it was amended May 15 by the state Assembly to address issues raised in the conditional veto. The Assembly passed the amended version May 22 by a 72-1-2 vote, and it must be passed again by the state Senate before it is forwarded to Murphy.

The Senate is scheduled to be in session on Thursday, and if passed, would take effect immediately after Murphy signs it.

A spokesman for the governor said he does not comment on pending legislation.