SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — As public safety concerns grow at the Jersey Shore, the Aberdeen Police Benevolent Association Local 163 has issued a scathing statement accusing New Jersey state leaders of neglecting the worsening situation in Seaside Heights.
In a press release issued Monday, PBA President Ron Osadacz Jr. criticized what he described as a failure to support law enforcement and control escalating violence and disorder in the popular beach town.
“This is not a surprise,” the statement reads. “It’s the predictable result of policies that have handcuffed police, empowered lawbreakers, and ignored the safety and quality of life of our communities.”
The criticism follows several chaotic holiday weekends in recent years where viral videos have captured large, unruly crowds, fights, and clashes with police in Seaside Heights. These incidents have reignited public debate over how the state is managing public safety and law enforcement at the Shore.
The PBA’s harshest words were aimed at Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin, accusing them of offering “lip service” instead of meaningful action. Osadacz claimed their lack of response has only emboldened those causing trouble.
“Simply put, while you’re making political theatre, the state is falling apart,” the statement says.
The union is calling for immediate action, including:
- A greater police presence at the Shore,
- Harsher penalties for unlawful behavior, and
- Real consequences for those who break the law.
The statement also praised the Seaside Heights Police Department for doing the best they can under increasingly difficult and dangerous conditions. Osadacz emphasized that local officers are stretched thin and working in a “hostile environment.”
“It’s time for our so-called leaders to either back the badge or get out of the way,” he added.
At the time of publication, neither Governor Murphy’s office nor the Attorney General’s office had responded to requests for comment.
This latest statement reflects growing frustration among law enforcement groups, who say current state policies are too soft on crime and fail to give officers the resources and support they need.
With summer now underway, all eyes are on how state and local officials will respond—and whether Seaside Heights will receive the reinforcements and reforms police are demanding.
