73 Arrests, 887 Calls: Memorial Day Chaos Shuts Down Seaside Heights, New Jersey (2025)

Viewer discretion advised: This video contains real footage and sensitive content from Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in Seaside Heights, NJ.

What was supposed to be the kickoff to summer turned into one of the most chaotic weekends Seaside Heights has ever seen. Over the course of just 72 hours, police made 73 arrests 52 adults and 21 juveniles with the majority being under the age of 24. The violence escalated to include four separate stabbings on or near the boardwalk, with victims refusing to cooperate and no arrests made. Authorities received more than 887 emergency calls and logged over 747 service incidents as an estimated 100,000 visitors swarmed the small beach town. The situation grew so intense that backup from outside departments was called in, and the boardwalk was temporarily shut down after midnight to get things under control.

In response to the weekend’s unrest, Seaside Heights officials enacted strict new laws in June 2025. The boardwalk now closes from midnight to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and federal holidays. On special holidays like Memorial Day and July 4, the boardwalk shuts down at 10 p.m. A ban on backpacks and large bags has also been implemented between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. from April 1 through September 30 only small bags under 8"x6"x8" are allowed, with exceptions for medical gear, diaper bags, and media equipment.

Fines for violating these new rules range from $100 to $500 for a first offense, with penalties increasing to $1,050–$2,000 for repeat violations within 12 months. Juvenile offenders may receive a warning, followed by parental notification and possible stationhouse adjustments. The borough also introduced a zero-tolerance stance on unlicensed short-term rentals, overcrowded housing, and unreasonable disturbances with violations carrying fines up to $2,000. Additionally, a curfew for minors under 18 has been expanded to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the boardwalk.

Mayor Anthony Vaz called it "the worst Memorial Day Weekend in my 59 years," and local officials say these new measures are necessary to protect residents and reclaim the boardwalk as a family-safe destination. The weekend’s violence was largely fueled by social media-driven crowds and pop-up parties, with police citing multiple online promotions that contributed to the massive turnout. More than two dozen towns along the Jersey Shore have now implemented similar curfews and restrictions, signaling a broader shift in how the shore is policed during peak season.

This video documents the reality on the ground unfiltered and raw as police, first responders, and residents dealt with one of the wildest weekends in recent history. For more frontline coverage of Jersey Shore incidents, fire response, and real-time reporting, subscribe to the channel.

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