Belmar, NJ – The recent arrest of a surfer is under review after an incident in Belmar on August 19th got out of hand. The surfer allegedly entered the beach without a proper beach badge, and his encounter with the BPD has raised questions about beach access and the enforcement of local ordinances not just in Belmar but in every town along the Jersey shore.
According to eyewitnesses, the surfer, 28-year-old, Liam Mahoney of Junction City, California, was approached by beach patrol officers after exiting the water. When asked to produce a beach badge, the surfer reportedly couldn’t provide one. The situation quickly escalated when local police were called to the scene.
“I’ve been surfing here for years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said local resident Tom Johnson, who witnessed the incident. “It seemed like an overreaction to me.”
Belmar, like many New Jersey shore towns, requires visitors to purchase daily or seasonal badges to access its beaches during the summer months. These fees are used to fund beach maintenance, lifeguard services, and other related costs.
Video of the incident surfaced on the subreddit r/surfing titled: “Surfer in Belmar, New Jersey Arrested for Not Displaying Beach Badge on Wetsuit.”
Officers can be heard demanding that Mahoney, “Drop the surfboard.”
At one point, Mahoney is grabbed by the neck and forced onto the ground facedown.
Witnesses on the scene can be heard repeatedly screaming at the officers to “stop” and “get off of him.”
Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott is defending the actions of her officers as is Mayor Mark Walsifer who, stated, “Our beach badge policy is clearly posted and well-known. It’s a matter of fairness to all beachgoers who follow the rules and purchase their badges.”
The arrest has triggered ire among locals and tourists alike. Some argue that surfers, who often enter and exit the water at various points along the beach, are exempt from badge requirements as long as they don’t leave anything on the beach and just enter the water. Others contend that the enforcement was unnecessarily harsh.
Local surfing advocate Sarah Miller commented, “We understand the need for beach maintenance funds, but there needs to be a better solution for surfers who are just trying to catch some waves.”
The incident has also raised questions about the appropriate use of police resources and the potential impact on tourism. Some local business owners worry that overzealous enforcement could deter visitors from coming to Belmar.
As the summer season continues on it’s last leg, town officials have promised to review their policies and enforcement procedures. In the meantime, the case of the arrested surfer is pending, with a court date set for next month.
