TOMS RIVER, NJ – Move over Seaside Heights, Ortley Beach is becoming the new place for teenagers to spend their summer days at the beach, but police here say the large crowds are engaging in unlawful behavior.
Police in Toms River, which Orltey Beach is part of have reported several incidents over the Fourth of July weekend that required police response, including arrests and the assault a Toms River police officer by a 16-year-old girl.
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“Throughout the 4th of July holiday weekend we had a number of juveniles and young adults converge on the beach area of our town,” said Chief Mitch Little. “Most of them were frequenting local businesses and engaging in lawful activities, however there were some large groups that formed and several individuals from within those groups created a number of issues resulting in arrests. These groups were addressed immediately and were dealt with by patrol officers.”
Last month, the Toms River Township Council and Mayor Hill backed a Phil Murphy pandemic lockdown order that allowed Chief Little to implement an 11pm curfew.
That curfew appeared to not be working as intented.
On Sunday, July 3, at approximately 11:30 PM, officers responded to the beach, in the area of E Colony Road and S Surf Road (Silver Beach), for a report from private security of roughly 40 to 50 kids refusing to leave.
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Upon officer’s arrival, the group was advised to disperse and did so without incident.
“While walking back down the street, the officer heard a male within a small group begin to shout obscenities. Residents from several houses came outside and the officer advised the male to walk quietly and not to disturb the residents in the area,” the Toms River Police Department reported. “As he was approaching the male, the officer observed him steal a decorative sign from the front of a residence and walk away with the stolen property. He was instructed to stop but the male looked back at the officer and began to run. A foot pursuit ensued and he was ultimately taken into custody. While the male stated he was a juvenile, and told the officer to let him go, it was later confirmed he was in fact 18.”
Andre Baskapan, 18 of Park Ridge, NJ was arrested and transported to Toms River Municipal Jail without further incident. He was cited for Theft, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly Conduct.
Then, on Monday, July 4, at approximately 8:57 pm, officers responded to the area of 4th Avenue and the Ocean, for a report of a large crowd of juveniles on the beach and boardwalk, involved in a disturbance, possibly involving a knife.
“Finding the report unfounded, officers began to engage the large crowd. Just before the 11:00 PM curfew, officers directed the crowd of approximately 400 to 500 kids out of the area for the evening,” police reported. “Most of them walked in the middle of the roadway blocking traffic from passing by. After several attempts to disperse the crowd and clear the roadway, a juvenile female turned toward the officer, held up her middle finger, and repeatedly yelled explicitatives at him.”
He instructed them to move out of the roadway and the female turned back and attempted to strike the officer.
Police said with approximately 200 to 300 juveniles gathered in close proximity, the officer escorted the female to side of the roadway and she began to struggle, yelling at him, flailing her arms, and kicking him multiple times.
“Continuing to fight, she was arrested and placed in the patrol vehicle. The crowd of juveniles began to yell, throw rocks, and attempt to interfere, both verbally and physically, with the officer and arriving officers,” the department reported. “The female was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released to her mother who acknowledged she was aware her 16 year old daughter would have a couple of drinks while at the beach that evening. The juvenile from Milburn, NJ was cited for a curfew violation, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest.”
The next day, residents in the area woke up to property damage, and their community was littered with garbage and alcohol containers forcing the Township Public Works employees to address the additional nuisance.
“Our beach community is enjoyed by residents and guests year round, and while we welcome visitors from near and far, we will not tolerate disrespect and destruction,” Chief Little said today. “This is becoming an increasing issue with most shore towns, it is not just in our area. Social media definitely fuels the gatherings to levels we haven’t seen before. We are taking a measured response to the issue and providing more coverage in our beach community. Fortunately the State and acting Attorney General have recognized the need for assistance and have opened a line of communication in partnership with the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement agencies.”
Below are some statistics from the holiday weekend.
Please keep in mind that these numbers below were “reported” incidents and does not reflect every encounter the officers had throughout their shifts.
Total Calls for the entire holiday weekend: 628
Beach: 195 (30% of the entire towns calls)
Total Juvenile Calls for the entire town: 34
Beach: 24
Total Disorderly Conduct Calls for the entire town: 75
Beach: 11
Fireworks calls for the entire town: 108
Beach: 3
Please do not drop off children and leave them without supervision.