Overview
- Several hundred teens and young adults converged on Long Branch’s Pier Village on Tuesday night, where video shows people climbing on a parked car and fights breaking out.
- Police activated a large multi-agency response that officials say totaled 139 officers and used formation tactics and riot gear to clear the area.
- Long Branch announced an emergency 8 p.m. curfew for the night of May 19 and reported six arrests, with officials warning repeat curfews are possible for holiday weekends.
- Local authorities checked bags, removed alcohol and some nearby towns adopted preventive measures such as backpack bans as officials linked the gatherings to social media coordination.
- Officials say the pop-up episodes strain police and transit resources because many attendees arrive by rail, and town leaders have warned that those who travel to cause violence will be arrested and prosecuted.