Fights Mar July 4th in Seaside Heights

Police close boardwalk after fights break out

Things are returning to normal Tuesday afternoon in Seaside Heights, just hours after after police closed the popular boardwalk following a rash of violence.

The Asbury Park Press reports that fights began on the boardwalk as early as 10:30 p.m. on Monday, after the community’s firework display wrapped up around 9:20.

Seaside Heights Detective Steve Korman told the newspaper that Police Chief Thomas Boyd assessed the scene as the violence increased throughout the night, and by 1 a.m., he closed the boardwalk for the safety of visitors.

In total, 62 people (59 adults, three juveniles) were arrested in Seaside Heights, according to the Asbury Park Press. Of those arrested, 39 were arrested on disorderly persons charges and seven were charged with interfering with the official duty of a law enforcement officer, among other charges.

This comes just weeks after police dealt with similar problems over the Memorial Day holiday. At the time, Police chief Boyd told NBC New York that he was facing a "mini-New Orleans" with fights "all over the place."

Police told the newspaper that the cast and crew of MTV’s Jersey Shore were not involved in Tuesday’s incidents, despite several reports of violence during filming in past summers.

Contact Us