Police in Long Branch getting state money for overtime
Long Branch is getting $50,000. The state funding is to cover overtime expenses related to chaotic and destructive pop-up parties along the boardwalk in the beach town.
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Long Branch is getting $50,000 to pay for police overtime related to chaotic pop-up parties along the boardwalk.
The last pop-up party to cause problems on the boardwalk in Long Branch was in May right around the time that schools were letting out. On that day, six people were arrested following fighting and people seen jumping on cars.
New Jersey state Sen. Vin Gopal was at the forefront of getting this state aid. He believes police are doing an excellent job of preventing these parties from taking place.
He says local police and the New Jersey State Police are monitoring online posts to find out if any are being planned.
"Yesterday, we had a potential for a pop up party. We worked with NJ Transit we’re on the phone nonstop and making sure everyone is ticketed. And it was peaceful when folks came down here," said Sen. Vin Gopal.
Gopal says Long Branch has also been using their lawyers to go after companies that allow these parties to be posted online.
"They're going after the social media companies where they're promoting. Instagram or X or any of these social media companies that are promoting a party that is causing chaos," said Gopal.
The senator believes a number of measures used together are working to keep these parties from continuing this summer. They include increased policing, curfews, increasing penalties for teens arrested as well as providing penalties for parents of those arrested.
