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The basics:

• Pier Village pop-up gathering drew hundreds Tuesday night
• Emergency curfew issued in Long Branch
• Six people arrested during police response
• Officials increased Shore security ahead of Memorial Day

Several hundred teenagers and young adults descended on Pier Village in Long Branch Tuesday night in a chaotic pop-up gathering that quickly spiraled into fights, disorderly behavior and panic along the beachfront. The unrest prompted an emergency curfew, a massive police response and renewed concerns among Jersey Shore officials ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.

Authorities said the unauthorized gathering May 19 drew crowds large enough to overwhelm the popular oceanfront destination. Videos circulating widely on social media showed groups running through the area, dancing on sidewalks and streets, climbing on vehicles and fighting near the boardwalk and train station.

“The City of Long Branch takes these events seriously and will not tolerate conduct that endangers residents, visitors, business owners, or our public safety personnel,” said Charles Shirley Jr., the city’s business administrator and director of public safety. “Pop-up gatherings of this nature have repeatedly disrupted Jersey Shore communities, and Long Branch is prepared to act decisively whenever public safety is threatened.”

Emergency curfew

Acting on recommendations from the Long Branch Police Department and in coordination with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Mayor John Pallone authorized an emergency 8 p.m. curfew covering the Pier Village area as officers worked to disperse the crowd. Officials said the district was cleared by approximately 9:15 p.m.

The City of Long Branch takes these events seriously and will not tolerate conduct that endangers residents, visitors, business owners, or our public safety personnel.
– Charles Shirley Jr., business administrator and director of public safety

A significant portion of the crowd reportedly arrived by rail, leading to NJ Transit delays of roughly 30 to 45 minutes during the police response.

The Long Branch Police Department activated an all-call and mutual aid response that ultimately brought 139 officers to the beachfront, including personnel from local departments throughout Monmouth County, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force, New Jersey Transit Police and other agencies.

Authorities said six people were arrested in connection with the disturbance. Two adult women, ages 19 and 20, both from Newark, were charged with disorderly conduct, along with three juvenile girls also from Newark. A juvenile male from New Brunswick was charged in connection with an eluding incident.

Warning

Police also said detectives are actively investigating additional incidents tied to the gathering, including aggravated assaults reported near Centennial Drive and the Long Branch train station, along with a motor vehicle theft on Third Avenue.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement Wednesday praising the coordinated law enforcement response while warning that similar behavior would not be tolerated as shore towns prepare for the unofficial start of summer.

“The #MCSONJ and #SheriffGolden commend all first responders for their professionalism, swift response, and dedication to public safety during last night’s major gathering by Pier Village that prompted a significant police presence,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted to social media.

“This type of disruptive behavior and unlawful activity will not be tolerated in Monmouth County,” the statement continued. “Curfews and additional enforcement measures will be implemented when necessary, and those responsible for violating the law will be held accountable.”

Growing trend

The incident rattled local residents and businesses in Pier Village, one of the Jersey Shore’s busiest tourism and nightlife destinations, particularly with Memorial Day weekend expected to draw massive crowds across Monmouth and Ocean counties.

It also renewed attention on the growing trend of social media-driven “pop-up parties,” where large groups of young people coordinate meetups at beaches, boardwalks and commercial districts that can quickly become difficult for local police departments to control. Similar incidents have occurred in previous summers in Long Branch and other Jersey Shore communities.

“As we head into the busy summer season, the MCSO and our public safety partners will remain vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety of residents, visitors, and local businesses,” the Sheriff’s Office added.

Police warning

Long Branch officials said police and regional mutual aid partners will maintain a heightened and visible presence throughout the beachfront and downtown corridors during Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer season.

“Anyone who travels to Long Branch intending to engage in violence or disorder should expect to be arrested and prosecuted,” the city said in its statement.

The city also extended “sincere appreciation” to the many agencies that responded to the incident, along with Pier Village residents and businesses affected by the disruption.

“The City of Long Branch extends its sincere appreciation to every agency that responded last night, to the residents and businesses of Pier Village for their patience, and to the Long Branch officers and Law Enforcement partners whose professionalism brought a volatile situation to a safe and rapid conclusion,” the statement said.