Recent Seaside Heights chaos prompts potential ordinance changes
The borough saw more than 70 arrests over Memorial Day weekend and three stabbings.
The chaos at Seaside Heights Memorial Day weekend continues to be a topic of discussion for area officials and statewide, most recently at the borough council’s Wednesday meeting.
“I was actually here Memorial Day weekend," said Bayville resident Erick Iannelli. "It was very overwhelming. There was a lot of people. I heard about a lot of fights, a lot of stabbings.”
That weekend Seaside Heights saw over 70 arrests, with over 20 being juveniles.
"All the entrances on the boardwalk, you could find people being escorted out by police," said Iannelli.
This week, the borough council introduced five ordinance changes on Wednesday, with the hope to adopt to help stop the behavioral problems. There's the potential for more introductions to come.
Among the discussions on Wednesday was the idea to amend the mandatory minimum fines for the violation of any of the short-term rental regulations.
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“Right now, the fine is up to $2,000 and the judge has a lot of leeway in opposing a fine, and this will make the minimum fine much higher," according to the meeting video.
Backpacks also took center stage, with talks to ban them on the boardwalk.
“With certain exceptions, including necessary medical equipment and diaper bags. Things like that," according to the meeting livestream.
"I don't have pockets, so that's why I'm carrying the backpack," said Iannelli. "I guess I understand it because they don't want kids carrying concealed weapons or anything."
Hours of operation for the boardwalk may change, too. The meeting mentioned a 10 p.m. shutdown for this Fourth of July. Next year, Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July would be affected.
“It’s for the protection of me and my family and I love my kids, I love my children," said South Toms River resident Kelcey Rojas. "I wouldn’t ever want anything to happen to them.”
At the June 18 meeting, they would be formally adopted with the council’s approval and public participation.
