Monmouth County sheriff blames state leaders for chaotic party in Long Branch

The Monmouth County sheriff is placing some of the blame for a chaotic party in Long Branch over the weekend in part on state laws that limit police officers from searching minors for marijuana and alcohol.

News 12 Staff

May 23, 2022, 4:43 PM

Updated 915 days ago

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The Monmouth County sheriff is placing some of the blame for a chaotic party in Long Branch over the weekend in part on state laws that limit police officers from searching minors for marijuana and alcohol.
Police say that about 5,000 people showed up at this party – many with their own alcohol and marijuana. Several fights broke out and about 15 people were arrested. The situation became so out of hand, that police say a curfew was put in place.
"That policy needs to be revisited… and we not only need policy revisited, we need some public speaking from our leadership in the state of New Jersey,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “I don't hear any public comments about what had occurred in Long Branch and that's unfortunate."
But Gov. Phil Murphy did address the situation during a media gathering on Monday.
"There was some modest amount of small-scale violence but thankfully at the end of the day, we got through it. Now who didn't get through it? The small businesses in Pier Village didn't get through it. They all had to close. So that's something that's not acceptable,” Murphy said.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office says multiple agencies are reviewing the actions taken on Saturday. Most of the people taken into custody were arrested for disorderly conduct.
Police are warning residents about more potential pop-up parties over the next few weeks.