Jersey Shore Pop-Up Parties Are Back; One Planned For Long Branch

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The pop-up parties that plagued the Jersey Shore and led to curfews and lockdowns in the past two years may be rearing their heads again this summer.

The city of Long Branch just announced Tuesday they are hearing rumors of a pop-up party scheduled to happen in that town this Saturday, June 8:

"It was advertised on social media," said the city in a statement. "During the past several weeks, the Long Branch Police Department and Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office identified three of the promoters who originally organized the event."

Lawyers for the city sent cease-and-desist letters to the promoters. But city officials are still bracing to see if crowds will come Saturday.

Long Branch Mayor John Pallone said there will be a heavy police presence out this weekend, and police from nearby towns have already been told they may be called in to help. Expect to see many police officers on the beach, especially Saturday. All bags and coolers will be checked prior to entering the beach, said Long Branch Public Safety Director William Broughton.

"Residents and visitors should expect a large police presence this weekend," said Broughton. "All parking regulations will be strictly enforced and illegally parked cars WILL be towed."

If necessary, Long Branch will enact a curfew and — similar to what Wildwood had to do on Memorial Day weekend — will declare a state of emergency, "if a situation calls for one," vowed Broughton.

On Memorial Day weekend in Seaside Heights, 90 people were arrested on the boardwalk (72 adults, and the rest were teenagers under 18). That same weekend, a fight broke out on the Ocean City boardwalk and a 15-year-old boy was stabbed (he was hospitalized and survived).

In Wildwood, police said they were called to "an irrepressible number of calls for service" related to teens and young adults in town for the holiday weekend. The crowd size got so unruly that Wildwood Police were unable to respond to all the 911 calls; they had to close the boardwalk late Sunday night and declare a state of emergency.

Wildwood Police said they were overwhelmed by teenagers who were “volatile and aggressive towards officers,” at one point throwing firecrackers at them as they tried to disperse crowds, the AP reported.

"The city will not tolerate these unsanctioned pop-up parties,” said Long Branch Mayor Pallone Tuesday. “Our police department, along with county and state agencies, have been extremely successful in finding those who create and share these posts. We will identify and hold them responsible."

"We are closely monitoring the situation for June 8 and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of our community,” added Broughton. “We want our residents and community to know that we have taken every legal and tactical action possible to stop these types of gatherings, and if one should arise this summer, we are prepared to take appropriate action. There will be zero tolerance for any disorderly activity. Period.”

Last week: Authorities Issue Warning After Chaotic Weekend In Ocean City, Wildwood (May 28)

Murphy Downplays Shore Mayhem As Cops, Lawmakers Demand Change (May 30)

Summer of 2022: Judge Orders 6 Jersey Shore Pop-Up Party Promoters To Stop; 3 Agree