Seaside Heights officials are proposing to close down its boardwalk earlier in an attempt to curb unruly behavior, much of it tied to large, unsanctioned teen gatherings. The move comes after a chaotic Memorial Day weekend that left three people hospitalized and more than 80 arrested.

At Wednesday’s council meeting, officials introduced ordinances that would close the boardwalk by 10 p.m. on major summer holidays, including July 4. The boardwalk is now allowed to stay open until midnight most days and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The earlier closing would line up with the borough’s 10 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18.

Another proposed rule would ban backpacks on the boardwalk unless they’re being used for what officials call “reasonable purposes” in an effort to prevent contraband items. Mayor Anthony Vaz said that if enforced correctly, the new measures could significantly reduce the kind of problems the town faced in recent summers.

If approved, the rules would be in effect by July 4.