LONG BRANCH – The city of Long Branch has imposed a 9 p.m. curfew after thousands of people gathered from a social media ‘pop-up party’ on May 21 that created a public safety emergency, officials said.
The massive gathering was the result of a flyer that was posted all over social media telling people to show up around Pier Village. According to authorities, many of the people traveled by train.
At one point the crowd was estimated to be several thousand people, officials said. Multiple fights broke out in the crowds which caused a public safety emergency.
The incident concluded around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. One flash bang and the deployment of smoke was used by Department of Corrections officers in response to fights taking place as well as bottles and rocks being thrown by the crowd.
There were five adults and four juveniles arrested in relation to the fights. One police vehicle was vandalized, but there were no significant injuries or property damage reported at this time.
A majority of those present left peacefully after the announcement of the curfew.
“I would like to thank all of our local law enforcement agencies and our state partners for their response to today’s incident. Responding agencies worked in unison to create a swift, professional, and tactical response to what was evolving as a dangerous situation. We appreciate the efforts of Long Branch city officials issuing tonight’s curfew in response to the public safety situation. Their efforts are to be commended.” Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey said.
“Thank you to all law enforcement and first responders that responded to Long Branch’s call for mutual aid in reference to Saturday night’s large-scale event which drew crowds of people to the area and unfortunately turned unruly as several fights broke out. This prompted a major police presence from state, county and local first responders to maintain public safety as they assisted with a subsequently imposed curfew by Long Branch City Officials,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said.
Law enforcement from the Long Branch Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), Monmouth and Middlesex Rapid Deployment Forces (RDF), Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Department of Corrections and NJ Transit Police, all responded to the area.
