06/18/2026
Asbury Park Police Department Sends a Clear Message: Unauthorized Pop-Up Gatherings Will Not Be Tolerated
The City of Asbury Park and the Asbury Park Police Department are sending a clear message ahead of the 2026 summer season: unauthorized pop-up gatherings on the city's beach and boardwalk will not be tolerated. Officers will be deployed in force throughout the season, and anyone who comes to Asbury Park looking to cause trouble will be arrested. The City is already taking legal action to prevent unlawful gatherings this summer.
"New Jersey has given municipalities a powerful tool with this law, which Asbury Park is already using in court," said City Attorney Kevin Starkey. "The City will not stand by and wait for disorder to occur. We will pursue every available legal remedy to prevent unlawful events from taking place and to hold organizers, participants, and responsible parties accountable when they violate the law. Anyone promoting or encouraging these gatherings should understand that their actions will face significant legal consequences."
"We have seen what these events do to communities, and we are not going to let it happen here," said Mayor John Moor. "Our residents and visitors deserve to enjoy this city safely, and we are going to make sure they can. If you are coming here to cause trouble, turn around."
The department's zero-tolerance approach is backed by New Jersey's new Pop-Up Party Law (Chapter 245, A4651/S3508), signed into law on January 12, 2026. The law establishes serious consequences for promoting and participating in these events, and extends liability to the parents and legal guardians of juveniles involved.
Under the law, parents and legal guardians with legal custody are held liable when a juvenile in their care is adjudicated delinquent for conduct covered by the statute. If a juvenile is found delinquent for improper behavior resulting in property damage, the parent or guardian faces a civil fine of $1,000. A first adjudication for inciting a public brawl makes the parent or guardian guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 30 days in prison and a fine of up to $500. A second or subsequent offense escalates to a disorderly persons charge, punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.
The Asbury Park Police Department will maintain a visible and active presence on the beach and boardwalk throughout the summer season. The department actively monitors intelligence from a variety of sources, including social media and outside agencies, and is already aware of events being planned for the region this summer. Residents and visitors are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the APPD.
