Island Police Chiefs Meet With N.J. Legislators on Bills to Address Boardwalk ‘Chaos,’ Crime

Police chiefs meet with Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean) to discuss restoring police authority in juvenile cases, July 2024. (Photo: Paul Kanitra)

Police chiefs from a dozen Shore communities met with Ocean County’s state legislators this week to provide input on several bills that have been, or will be, proposed to address seasonal crime and safety issues in coastal towns following numerous incidents that took on a high profile over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

While there have been decidedly fewer issues since the height of the season began, trouble on Memorial Day weekend has become an annual plague for many communities due to the influx of teens who occupy rental homes for post-prom parties and graduation gatherings. Over the last several seasons, since the state legislature passed a slew of juvenile justice reform laws, police chiefs have said their officers have been disempowered to enforce laws since statutes can subject the officers themselves to criminal charges if they detain or even question teens under certain circumstances.

The reforms were primarily backed by urban politicians with the intent of limiting interactions between juveniles and police officers, but the consequences in beach towns have been chaotic, with visiting youth engaging in binge drinking, flash mobs and drug use, and in some cases more serious offenses being committed by juveniles under the direction of adult offenders, such as a rash of car thefts and break-ins during the summer.

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Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean), the former mayor of Point Pleasant Beach, is leading the charge to introduce legislation that would re-empower police officers to enforce laws when juveniles are involved in illicit activity.

“It’s plain. Democrats are fueled by envy,” the fiery legislator said, placing the blame on his Democrat colleagues who pushed for the reform laws. “They can’t figure out how to improve their constituents’ lives, so they pass laws that attempt to pit minors against parents and police, citizens who want to quietly live their lives and the criminals are emboldened to attack and steal in broad daylight and generally ruin thriving red districts in the name of equity.”

On Tuesday, Kanitra headed a summit with police chiefs from 12 municipalities he represents at his district office, where he listened to concerns raised over bail reform, rising car thefts and home invasions, and the inability of police to confront teens suspected of underage drinking and drug use. Kanitra used the session to brainstorm new legislative ideas and build support for legislation he is co-sponsoring to tackle juvenile crime.

Kanitra is cosponsoring legislation that would reinstate penalties for underage possession and consumption of alcohol and cannabis (A833). He has also drafted bills that would establish increased penalties for smoking marijuana products on public beaches (A3490) and another that broadens the definition of rioting and disorderly conduct (A3489). All three bills have been assigned to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

A fracas on the Seaside Heights boardwalk, Memorial Day Weekend 2024. (Source: @4ever_Stressed/ X)

Altercations posted to social media during the 2023 Memorial Day weekend in Seaside Heights, N.J. (Source: Instagram/TikTok)

The meeting also produced other ideas for potential legislation, a statement from the New Jersey Republican Assembly office said in a statement.

“I don’t want to wade too deeply into the realm of philosophers and theologians here, but with few exceptions there’s agreement that if the threat of punishment is removed, people will behave badly,” Kanitra said. “The shore towns are experiencing this in real life and we see it splashed across social media. We need to correct the bad legislation coming out of Trenton so police can do their jobs and families can enjoy our beautiful shore and keep it beautiful.”

Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend this year, Seaside Heights was forced to close its boardwalk after an unfounded report of gunfire (later found to have been a juvenile prank recorded on social media in which firecrackers were thrown into a crowd on the boardwalk) sent thousands fleeing into the streets. Wildwood was forced to declare a state of emergency due to “civil unrest” for similar reasons, while the Ocean City boardwalk became the scene of fights and a stabbing.

Police chiefs from Bay Head, Brick, Brielle, Lavallette, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Boro, Sea Girt, Seaside Park, South Toms River and Toms River participated.