90 Arrests As Proms, Memorial Day Combine For Chaotic Weekend In Seaside Heights

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — Memorial Day weekend and teens celebrating proms led to a chaotic weekend in Seaside Heights, with 90 arrests and a curfew for kids under the age of 18, authorities said.

There were 72 adults and 18 juveniles arrested, Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman said Tuesday.

The biggest issues were Saturday night, when rumors of someone with a gun and shots fired sent law enforcement sprinting to check out the reports and kids running from the boardwalk.

At least one video showed law enforcement running on the boardwalk yelling at teens to get off the boards, with one officer visibly carrying a semiautomatic rifle.

"We responded to reports in several locations but they were unfounded," Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman said. "There were no shots fired," the Ocean County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Patch.

A curfew of 10 p.m. for juveniles Saturday night was announced shortly after authorities determined there had been no shooting.

"The curfew is a tool always in our toolbox," borough administrator Christopher Vaz said. "As is a full boardwalk closure."

Memorial Day weekend has been a challenging weekend for law enforcement in the past with the combination of post-prom celebrations and holiday visitors. In 2012 police dealt with multiple fights to start the weekend and in 2018, there were multiple issues with underage drinking and overdoses at the former club Karma, which has since shut down.

Seaside Heights faced a similar challenge last year, with fights and rowdy behavior, which led to a curfew then.

The Ocean County Sheriff's Office noted the issues with social media, which have heightened problems in the last several years with pop-up parties and random gatherings.

"As many of you know last night there were reports of shots fired on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights," the sheriff's office said Sunday on the department's Facebook page. "This was a false report and did not happen. Thanks to our partners for assisting in assuring the safety of all was carried out during a very busy evening.

"Social media at times can spread information which is not true," the sheriff's office said, "However we have a responsibility to make sure the public is safe!"