Seaside Heights Boardwalk Closed Amid Memorial Day Weekend Mayhem
The Seaside Heights boardwalk was shut down on Memorial Day weekend due to a spate of violent incidents, including three stabbings and numerous fights, which prompted police to take a proactive approach to ensure public safety. According to Detective Steve Korman, police spokesman, 73 people were arrested over the 72-hour period, including 52 adults and 21 juveniles.
The arrests were made between 6 a.m. on May 23 and 6 a.m. on May 26, with one of the adults charged with possessing a firearm. The boardwalk was reopened later in the day after the arrests. The decision to shut down the boardwalk was made just five minutes after the third stabbing incident was reported, at 12:05 a.m. on May 26.
The incidents began on May 24, when a 21-year-old man was stabbed in the back on the ocean block of Webster Avenue. The victim was evaluated by Tri-Boro First Aid Squad and flown by helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Two more stabbing incidents followed, one on May 25 and another on May 26, with the victims suffering from stab wounds to the hip and thigh, respectively.
Despite the efforts of the Seaside Heights Police Department, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Brick police, including K9 units from both agencies, the situation remained chaotic. "The last few days have been mayhem in this town," said Sarah Frailey, a bartender at EJ’s Tap House on the boardwalk. "It’s normally not like this. There’s a ton of kids here over Memorial Day weekend, more than the usual in the last few years, a lot of fights on the boardwalk."
According to Frailey, the large groups of unruly teens created havoc on the boardwalk, with many out of control. "It’s like the Jersey Shore show," she said. Borough officials had put in place plans to increase police presence and enforce a curfew on minors from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., but it seemed to have little effect.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said that detectives from his office were in Seaside Heights all weekend to assist borough police. "While I am disappointed by the conduct of some of the people who came to visit Seaside Heights this weekend, the Seaside Heights Police Department and all of the assisting agencies, by and large, did a great job this weekend ensuring the safety of the majority of our visitors and our locals," Billhimer said.
The incidents drew a large police response, with officers dealing with numerous calls, including a fight at Grant Avenue and Ocean Terrace, where Patrolman James Hans arrested Byron Czaplicki, 21, of Beachwood, and charged him with possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice.
In response to the mayhem, Billhimer pledged continued support to Seaside Heights’ police chief and Mayor Anthony E. Vaz. "We will work with Seaside Heights and all of our shore towns to make sure we are continually making improvements in strategic planning for these holiday weekends," Billhimer said. "We will not tolerate lawless behavior anywhere here in Ocean County."
The Memorial Day weekend brought approximately 100,000 visitors to the borough, with many more expected to visit in the coming weeks. As the town looks to recover from the chaos, residents and business owners are hoping for a return to normalcy.
According to APP, the incidents highlighted the need for increased security measures and better planning to deal with the large crowds that flock to the area during peak season.
As reported by APP, Seaside Heights officials are working to prevent such incidents in the future.
The APP news provider has been covering the story in detail, and their reporting has provided valuable insights into the incidents.
Source: APP – Seaside Heights boardwalk closed amid Memorial Day weekend mayhem.
