Seaside Heights Braces for More Violence as Mayor Seeks State Police Assistance
A wave of violence swept through Seaside Heights over the Memorial Day weekend, leaving residents and authorities alike bracing for more unrest. According to NJ.com, the weekend saw 73 people, including 21 minors, arrested, and three stabbed in separate incidents.
The violence has prompted Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz to seek assistance from the State Police. In an interview with NJ.com, Vaz revealed that he had spoken with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy about the challenges faced by the town over the weekend. "We discussed the challenges of the last weekend and how, in my opinion, it was terrible," Vaz said. "I’ve never seen anything like this."
Vaz expressed confidence that the State Police would be deployed to assist with violent crowds if requested. "I’m confident enough to know that if I request police reinforcement from the state police, I know they’ll be there," he said. The Borough Council is also set to discuss additional enforcement measures to address unruly crowds.
In a bid to tackle the problem, Vaz announced that new policies would be introduced in the coming weeks to help mitigate the issues. "We’re going to make more new things in the next several weeks, new policies, which are also going to assist in these types of problems," Vaz said. "We’re going to see some things happening."
The violence in Seaside Heights has renewed calls for Trenton lawmakers to pass a legislative package aimed at helping police address unruly crowds. According to NJ.com, Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed one of the bills, which would make inciting a public brawl a fourth-degree crime. The bill was revised to include provisions for peaceful assembly and certain religious purposes and has been passed by the Assembly.
State Sen. Paul Moriarty (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester), the bill’s primary sponsor, expressed optimism that the bill would be passed by the Senate. "We’ll get it done," Moriarty said, according to NJ.com. A vote on the amendments is expected at the Senate’s next session on June 2.
The introduction of new legislation is seen as a crucial step in addressing the growing problem of unruly crowds in Seaside Heights. As the town prepares for the busy summer season, authorities are urging lawmakers to take swift action. "We’re encouraging him (Murphy) to sign this legislation as quickly as possible," Vaz said.
The recent violence has left residents and business owners in Seaside Heights on edge. With the town’s reputation as a popular tourist destination at stake, authorities are working tirelessly to restore order and ensure public safety. As NJ.com reports, the town is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, residents and visitors alike are advised to exercise caution when visiting Seaside Heights. As the situation continues to unfold, NJ.com will provide updates and breaking news.
NJ.com has been a trusted source for local news, providing in-depth coverage of the Seaside Heights violence and its aftermath. As the town looks to the future, residents and authorities are counting on the support of local media outlets like NJ.com to keep them informed.
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For more information on the Seaside Heights violence and the efforts to address it, visit NJ.com.
Eric Conklin may be reached at [email protected].
