Long Branch officials work to put a stop to ‘pop-up parties’ they say disrupt the city
People on the Long Branch boardwalk enjoying a beautiful Wednesday say they are already noticing a heightened police presence.
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The city of Long Branch is fighting back after it received word of a potential pop-up party that was to happen this Saturday. Similar parties in 2021 and 2022 caused chaos near Pier Village.
“This is a family beach. It’s a family community, a place where people can enjoy the ocean. Our goal is to maintain that,” said William Broughton, the Long Branch public safety director.
Officials say unsanctioned parties disrupted that family atmosphere in 2021 and 2022. They say another flyer for a party was seen circulating around social media months ago. Police are not taking any chances.
“We plan to hold these individuals accountable financially, accountable civil, accountable criminally for anything that happens here in Long Branch,” said Broughton.
The flyer advertises for guests to bring their own beer and marijuana. Preparations for whatever may happen are now extending to the county level.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden says some responsibility falls on the parents.
“Ask your teenage kids, ‘Where are you going this weekend?’ and if it is one of those hotspots, as we call them along the Jersey Shore, you may want to question them further and speak with them about some possible outcomes of that visit,” said Golden.
People on the Long Branch boardwalk enjoying a beautiful Wednesday say they are already noticing a heightened police presence.
“They need the police presence. I noticed it today there was a lot of police presence, it’s just a gorgeous place and we need to keep it that way,” said Eileen Sainburg, of Pennsylvania.
Long Branch police warn there will be consequences for anyone showing up to cause trouble.
The city successfully went after past party promoters, and they say they are already starting to identify some of the people responsible for the latest social media invitations, sending them cease-and-desist notifications.
