More Controversy Over 'Love Locks' In Point Pleasant Beach

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – It seems like every time somebody hangs a love lock, the borough's Department of Public Works takes it down.

But then they just go back up again.

Now the borough is arguing over the amount of time DPW workers have spent going after what's become a worldwide love tradition.

And people still aren't happy that the Point Pleasant Beach Council has decided to replace the fence where the locks have become a recent tradition – and a local favorite.

One person wrote that she hung her first lock in memory of her son. She did it because they spent many days in Point Pleasant Beach either fishing, eating pizza and going to the beach.

"I wanted to return to a place of brighter days – the days and weeks past, and I found myself looking forward to coming to a safe place which I thought celebrated love in such a simple way," said the person.

The Point Pleasant Beach Council recently voted to spend more than $2,000 to replace a fence near the Manasquan Inlet where they have become a spot for sightseers – as well as those who wanted to show their love for somebody else.

Mayor Stephen Reid said he's still not happy with the council's decision, and it's only gotten worse since DPW workers were told to cut the locks, even if they go right back up again.

"I was notified that our DPW was taken down the locks," he said. "Not happy to hear that because I never asked for the locks to be taken down."

"I was not happy to hear that our DPW who does a great job have to waste its time cutting off the locks," he added.

Councilman Paul Kanitra, who is running to replace Reid as mayor, said he can definitely see both sides on the love-lock situation.

"On one side, the sheer numbers of them block the view at the inlet and the combined weight damaged the fence so badly it needed to be replaced, which cost the taxpayers’ money," he said.

"On the other side, they were great expressions of love and I thought having an art installation somewhere else might be a good solution to allow people somewhere non-damaging to put them," he said.

"Unfortunately, the council didn’t seem to have an appetite for doing that when I brought it up."

The locks followed the tradition of cities, where they have served as memorials, too. Paris is known for them as are places in Rome, New York City and elsewhere.

Some were even engraved, many just with sharpie markers. Some were unmarked.

The decision hasn't pleased a number of people who enjoyed the tradition of visiting the inlet area at the end of the boardwalk and getting a look at the symbols of love.