Curfew Returns As Unruly Teens Disrupt Toms River Barrier Island

TOMS RIVER, NJ — After complaints about a return of unruly teenagers causing destruction and disturbances in the barrier island communities, Toms River has instituted a curfew that will be in effect through the rest of the summer season.

The curfew was ordered by Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little in his role as the township's emergency management coordinator, and it took effect on Monday, the township said in a news release.

The curfew prohibits children ages 17 or younger from being outdoors in North Beach and Ortley Beach from 11 p.m. through 5 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, officials said.

Exceptions include medical emergencies, teens travel to and from gainful employment, travel to and from religious or education functions, and travel to and from a private gathering, officials said.

"Juveniles may also perform errands or legitimate business if instructed to do so by their parent or guardian," officials said.

The curfew will be in place through Sept. 30 and was enacted under the authority of Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order No. 103 that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. That order has not been rescinded because it provides for measures that ease the distribution of vaccines and financial assistance from the last two years.

Those violating the curfew could be charged with a disorderly person’s offense and subject to penalties imposed in the Toms River Municipal Court, officials said.

"The goal and focus of this curfew is not to target children enjoying their time at the shore, but rather to address the destructive behavior we have experienced on both public and private property with large groups of juveniles," Little said. "It is our responsibility to preserve the quality of life in our beach communities for everyone."

The announcement comes after residents of the North Beach area — including Normandy, Chadwick and the Ocean Beaches — and Ortley Beach residents complained to the Toms River Township Council last week about hundreds of teens roaming around, tearing up fencing, leaving trash and bottles all around and generally raising a ruckus over Memorial Day weekend.

"There were literally two- to 300 kids," one resident said. Others described teens trying to pull down street signs, both boys and girls urinating in public, and one said they tore a railing off, broke up boards and threw them onto the dunes.

The town had instituted curfews the last two summers under Murphy's pandemic executive order, but Toms River officials initially were unsure whether that still was an option.

"The curfews worked well in 2020 and 2021," Mayor Maurice Hill said. "We had few if any disturbances during those seasons and we do not want a repeat of what happened during the Memorial Day weekend this year. With the threat of 'pop-up' parties being promoted on social media, we need to give our police officers the authority to maintain the peace in our family friendly beach communities."