Toms River Brings Back Teen Curfew For Barrier Island For Summer 2023

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Kids under age 18 will have to be off the streets on the barrier island at 10 p.m. again this summer, as Toms River officials have reinstated the summer curfew.

The curfew, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly, begins Friday with the start of Memorial Day weekend, Toms River Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill and Police Chief Mitch Little announced Wednesday. It will be in place until Tuesday, Sept. 5.

"We don’t want to have a repeat of the incidences we had during previous summer seasons," Hill said. "Last year, before we implemented the curfew, we had a few pop-up parties occur with large crowds of young people disturbing the peace in Ortley Beach. We are looking to prevent that from happening again this year."

"Incidents involving groups of juveniles strained police resources, disrupted businesses, lawful activities and residents and visitors trying to enjoy our beautiful resort area," said Little, who signed the executive order creating the curfew in his capacity as the township’s Emergency Management Coordinator.

Residents raised questions about a resumption of the curfew for the summer during the May 10 Township Council meeting, because of concerns about the previous summers.

In 2022, the issues exploded over the July 4 holiday, with police responding to 24 complaints specifically about unruly kids on the barrier island in a three-day weekend that saw 195 calls to that part of the township.

That included a fight at Barnacle Bill's Amusements, where two officers were injured. Two teens were arrested that weekend, including a 16-year-old girl from Millburn who was intoxicated and tried to hit a police officer, police said.

Read more: Ortley Beach Fight Among 600 Police Calls In Toms River Over July 4th; Belligerent Teens, Arrests, Damage: Toms River Police July 4 Report

Hill and Little said the curfew will be enforced in North Beach, which is the portion of Toms River between Lavallette's northern border and Brick Township, and in Ortley Beach.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, a legal guardian or an adult caretaker when they are out after 10 p.m. unless they are traveling to or from jobs, doing an errand at the direction of an adult, or involved with activities protected by the First Amendment.

Violators will be given two warnings to disperse before being detained, at which time their parents, guardians or adult caretakers will be contacted for "appropriate actions," officials said.

"Adults, including employers, who allow or encourage juveniles to violate the curfew will be subject to summons and fines pursuant to N.J.S.A. App. A:9-49 and N.J.S.A. App. A:9-50," officials said.