Hoboken Sees Boozing, Brawling, Urinating Santa Invasion

HOBOKEN, NJ — It reads almost like a trailer for a surreal Christmas movie. One night. 17 arrests. And reports of hundreds of Santa Claus lookalikes fighting, boozing and urinating all over the city.

That was the scene that has many locals up in arms about the annual, unsanctioned pub crawl known as “SantaCon,” which brought its unique style of holiday mayhem to the Mile Square City on Saturday. The event – which has been taking place in the city for several years to the growing dismay of many residents – saw more than triple the amount of arrests as it did last year.

In the words of one parent: "I’ll never forget explaining to my crying child, 'That wasn’t Santa throwing up.'”

According to the Hoboken Police Department, officers responded to 289 calls for service during a 16-hour period from noon to 4 a.m. And although there were “no serious injuries to police, victims or suspects," the day’s final tally included:

• 51 city ordinance summonses
• 32 motor vehicle summonses
• 55 people transported to the hospital
• 1 report of criminal sexual contact (no arrest)
• More than two dozen Alcohol Beverage Control complaints

Some of the tickets came after the boozed-up Santa Clauses were spotted relieving themselves in public. Some were issued for public intoxication and other disorderly persons offenses. And then there were the assaults, including several against officers.

According to the Hoboken Police Department:

SPITTING AT OFFICER - “While on patrol, officers observed four males escorted out of Cadillac Cantina, then engage in a fight with each other while outside the bar. The officers were able to stop the fight and separate the combatants. All were transported to headquarters for processing. At headquarters [one of the men] spit at [an officer].”

DRUNK ARGUES WITH BAR STAFF - “Officers responded to Tally-ho located at 215 Washington Street on a report of a problem with a patron. The defendant, who was intoxicated, was arguing with the staff outside the bar. It was later determined that the defendant was involved in an altercation inside the bar where he struck the victim several times causing the victim to bleed from the mouth.”

COP HIT IN FACE - “The officers were patrolling the area of 228 Washington Street when they observed the defendant exiting the Hoboken Bar and Grill. The staff advised the officers they were having a problem with the defendant. As officers attempted to calm the defendant, she became extremely agitated and unruly. Due to her intoxication, they requested medical attention. The defendant argued with police and medical personnel on scene and refused medical help. The defendant, in an effort to leave, struck [an officer] in the face and an EMT staff as they attempted to place her on a stretcher. This behavior continued inside the ambulance and along the trip to the hospital. No one on scene suffered any serious injuries.”

FIGHT IN LINE AT THE BAR - “The officers noticed the defendant yelling and pointing her fingers at the faces of other patrons as she stood in line at The Shannon Bar. [An officer] approached the defendant in order to deescalate the situation by removing her from the line. As he attempted to do so, she struck him in the jaw with a closed fist. [Two officers] attempted to place her under arrest while she continued to swing her arms preventing them from handcuffing her. The officers were able to regain control and handcuff the defendant and transport her to headquarters for processing where she received a summons to appear in court. The officers did not sustain any serious injuries.”

Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Hoboken Facebook page.

"THOUSANDS OF SANTAS RUNNING WILD"

The pub crawl’s promoters, SantaCon.org, have also hosted or plan to host other SantaCons nationwide, including events in Asbury Park, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Miami and Washington D.C.

Here’s how the Hoboken event was billed for 2017: “Picture thousands of Santas running wild through the streets of Hoboken and having access to some of the best bars you can imagine."

Promoters added that they “have established strong relationships with over 20 venues in the Hoboken community" for the 2017 event.

Participating bars this year included Hoboken Bar & Grill, Texas Arizona, Cadillac Cantina, Biggies, The Shannon, Birch, Hotel Victor Bar & Grill, 1 Republik, Havana Cafe, Mills Tavern, Black Bear Bar, Tally Ho and Village Pourhouse.

The group said that a “portion of proceeds” from the 2017 Hoboken SantaCon will be donated to Kidz1st, Inc.

THE PLAY-BY-PLAY

As he’s done in the recent past for other high-profile, high-arrest Hoboken boozefests such as Leprecon, Police Chief Ken Ferrante provided coverage of the night as it unfolded from the perspective of the local cops via Twitter.

• See related article: Leprecon 2016: Hoboken St. Patrick's Boozefest Ends In 15 Arrests

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”

After Saturdays mass arrests, Hoboken Mayor-Elect Ravinder Bhalla called the behavior “disgraceful.”

“Enough is enough with SantaCon,” Bhalla wrote, encouraging residents to “explore legislative options” and sign a Change.org petition to let participating bar owners know that the event is “not acceptable in Hoboken.”

According to the petition, which has gathered almost 500 signatures as of Monday morning:

“SantaCon has grown into nothing more than a group of bars who offer discounted drinks and significantly over serve them while opening their doors to hundreds of young and reckless drinkers dressed as Santas… Held annually, the event makes it seemingly impossible for residents and families to enjoy the week before Christmas and visit what would otherwise be a festive stretch of town with great shops, restaurants, and bars - for those who like to enjoy responsibly.”

• See related article: Hoboken Is Among 10 'Drunkest Places' In NJ, Report Says

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Photo: 2016 SantaCon in Hoboken (YouTube / SantaCon Events)