NJ DEP backs Seaside Heights' decision to close beaches early on rough water days

Seaside Heights has yet to close the beaches before the usual time of 7 p.m. but they expect that will change next week, when dangerous rip currents and large waves are expected to impact Jersey beaches from Tropical Storm Erin.  

Jim Murdoch

Aug 14, 2025, 9:20 PM

Updated 2 hr ago

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Although beaches have yet to close early, the Seaside Heights mayor took some flack on social media for his decision to close them on rough water days.
But on Thursday, he received a big boost of legal support from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“People need to understand what the water is and how to respect it,” said Connie Gonzalez, a grandmother from South Plainfield visiting Seaside Heights with her grandchildren.  
“My granddaughter was standing up to her ankles wave came and took her out. She’s like that’s it I’m done,” said Gonzalez.  
Following Monday’s drowning, Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz says the only complaints of shutting beaches early on rough days after lifeguards leave have been on Facebook.  
“Yes, they made a mistake by going in the water but let them drown? How can you say that,” said Mayor Vaz.  
In a statement to News 12, a spokesperson for the New Jersey DEP says towns “may implement reasonable requirements related to the use of public beaches in the interest of public safety, which, depending on the circumstances, may include the temporary closing, limiting or restricting access on the municipal oceanfront beach area.” 
Whenever towns start talking about closing down beaches, advocacy groups like the New Jersey Coastal Alliance, take notice to make sure the public’s rights to access water aren’t violated. 
“How’s it going to affect fishermen? How’s it going to affect people who want to walk on the beach?” said Ross Kushner.  
Kushner is the director of the New Jersey Coastal Alliance.  
“You want to ensure some degree of public safety but you don’t want to take away what is a right to some people,” said Kushner.  
“Here, we get to the beach in less than two minutes but sometimes it’s not enough time,” said Tim Farrell, assistant chief of the Seaside Heights Fire Department.  
Which is why Grandma Gonzalez taught her family one simple rule.  
“Don’t be on the beach after the lifeguards are on,” she said.  
Seaside Heights has yet to close the beaches before the usual time of 7 p.m. but they expect that will change next week, when dangerous rip currents and large waves are expected to impact Jersey beaches from Tropical Storm Erin.