Seaside Heights is cracking down on after-hours beach access following several days of dangerous rip currents, including on Monday night when one man drowned and six others needed to be rescued.
Mayor Anthony Vaz said the move is about protecting people in the hours after lifeguards leave for the day.
Beaches typically close at 7 p.m., and police will now help clear out crowds, issue summonses, and even make arrests, if needed, Vaz said. The borough will also closely monitor tides and storm conditions, closing earlier on dangerous days and adding bilingual warning signs.
He added that fishermen and surfers will still be allowed on the beach in the evenings, but if lifeguards find conditions warrant, surfers could be banned as well.
