57 Arrested At Far Hills Horse Race

FAR HILLS, NJ — A total of 57 people were arrested following a crackdown on underage drinking at Far Hills Steeplechase this past Saturday.

The largest number of arrests — 22 people — were for underage drinking with public urination following with 15 arrests.

Seven arrests were made for nuisance behavior; six for public intoxication; three for drugs; one for theft; one for resisting arrest, one for a warrant arrest and one for a fake ID.

State, county and local law enforcement officers partnered with race organizers this year to step up enforcement and conduct identification checks of underage individuals suspected of drinking alcoholic beverages on the race grounds.

Race officials began looking at increasing security after the 2012 race when a high number of arrests were made for multiple offenses including three juveniles under the age of 18, who were transported to Somerset Medical Center due to extreme levels of intoxication.

• See Related: Arrests, ‘Bad Behavior’ Prompt Far Hills Race Security Review

In the past four years, police report making at least more than 30 arrests annually. Last year, police arrested 35 people; in 2015, 35 people were arrested; in 2014, 36 arrests were made and in 2013, 55 people were arrested.

Out of the 35 people arrested in 2016, 17 were underage. The charges varied from public urination, underage drinking, disorderly conduct and more.

• See Related: 35 Arrests Made at Far Hills Steeplechase

"With the combined efforts of law enforcement, The Far Hills Race Association, and the Borough of Far Hills a multi-faceted public awareness campaign was created to curb underage drinking which has been a big problem in years past," said Far Hills Police Chief Michael DeCarolis. "The team brought awareness of the local conditions around underage drinking to the community leaders, parents, and would be offenders."

Along with the arrests, 22 summonses were also written for dropping and discharging passengers in a clearly marked no stopping or unloading zone. As well six summonses issues for littering.

The Somerset County Prosecutors Office, The New Jersey State Police, The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, multiple Somerset County Municipal law enforcement agencies participated in the crack down on Oct. 21.

• See Related: Police To Crack Down On Underage Drinking At Far Hills Horse Race

(Image via Shutterstock)

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