'Pop-up party' creates public safety emergency in Monmouth County; 15 arrested

Thousands of people arrived in Long Branch for a "pop-up party" on Saturday night, which had been advertised on social media.

News 12 Staff

May 22, 2022, 4:24 PM

Updated 712 days ago

Share:

Thousands of people arrived in Long Branch for a "pop-up party" on Saturday night, which had been advertised on social media billed as a "beach link up."
Party goers packed the boardwalk and the surrounding area of Pier Village for the party they saw advertised. The crowd got big, fights broke out and police had to break it up and issue a curfew.
A video from the scene obtained by News 12 New Jersey shows a flash bang launched into the crowd. There is also footage of police arresting a man and taking him away.
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office tweeted, "Please adhere to the curfew imposed in the City of Long Branch tonight beginning at 9pm due to a large-scale event. All should clear the streets by 9pm and nonresidents need to leave the area."
A day after the pop-up party, it was business as usual on the boardwalk on Sunday with the normal-sized crowds for a hot weekend at the beach.
However, one resident told News 12 New Jersey she now feels unsafe in a place she calls home, while younger residents said beach parties are the only option for the under 21 crowd.
"The city used to be quiet and safe for everybody, and very good here to come to the beach with the kids, and now these things are going on because of TikTok parties. It's like crazy," said Lisangela Vieira, of Long Branch.
"In Jersey, it's very strict for us to go to bars, so we can't go anywhere," said Chloe Spina, also of Long Branch. "Where do you want us to go? We can't go to a bar, we can't have house parties."
This is not the first time this has happened in Long Branch. Last summer, police shut down a similar party.
Police say most people left peacefully during Saturday's pop-up party. However, they say 15 were arrested and a police car was damaged, but no one was seriously hurt.
The  curfew has since been lifted.


More from News 12
1:11
Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

2:30
Rain throughout Sunday for New Jersey

Rain throughout Sunday for New Jersey

1:50
Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

1:06
Overnight fire destroys home in Lakewood

Overnight fire destroys home in Lakewood

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning