SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — A new video montage circulating online is shedding fresh light on the turbulent Memorial Day weekend that rocked Seaside Heights, where a wave of violence, arrests, and emergency calls prompted sweeping new restrictions across the beach town.
Jersey Shore Fire Response posted the video on YouTube.
The footage, which compiles raw, unfiltered scenes from the weekend of May 24–26, shows swarms of unruly crowds, heavy police presence, and chaotic moments on the boardwalk. Authorities said 73 people were arrested during the 72-hour stretch — 52 adults and 21 juveniles — most under the age of 24.
Among the incidents were four reported stabbings, three of them confirmed. No arrests were made, as victims refused to cooperate with investigators. Officials logged over 887 emergency calls and 747 service incidents as an estimated 100,000 visitors descended on the town.
“What was supposed to be the kickoff to summer turned into one of the most chaotic weekends Seaside Heights has ever seen,” the town said in a statement following the weekend.
The disorder led to the boardwalk being temporarily shut down after midnight and forced the town to call in backup from other law enforcement agencies. In response, Seaside Heights enacted strict new regulations in June aimed at curbing large crowds and preventing future unrest.
The new rules include:
- Boardwalk curfews: Closed midnight to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays. On Memorial Day and July 4, it closes at 10 p.m.
- Bag restrictions: Ban on backpacks and large bags between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. from April 1 to September 30, with only small bags under 8″x6″x8″ permitted.
- Fines: $100 to $500 for first violations; up to $2,000 for repeat offenses.
- Juvenile curfew: Under-18s barred from the boardwalk between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Zero tolerance policies: Enforced for unlicensed short-term rentals, housing overcrowding, and disturbances, with fines up to $2,000.
“This was the worst Memorial Day Weekend in my 59 years,” said Mayor Anthony Vaz, who backed the new measures. Officials blamed social media-fueled pop-up parties and online promotions for the massive turnout and public safety issues.
The Memorial Day weekend fallout has spurred more than two dozen Jersey Shore towns to adopt similar curfews and restrictions ahead of the July 4 and Labor Day holidays.
