We’ve witnessed another embarrassing weekend on New Jersey’s iconic boardwalks, Save Jerseyans, and no, it didn’t happen in a vacuum.
The epicenter of the chaos – but by no means the only hotspot in the state – was once again Seaside Heights where “a spate of stabbings and fights led to the closure of a beloved boardwalk and the arrest of more than 70 people — including 21 minors.” Seaside’s reputation has always been a little “rough around the edges” due, in part, to the infamous MTV program Jersey Shore. Seaside’s image has nevertheless struggled for some time now, and one guy has been at the center of the action since 1975 (except for a hiatus between 1992 and 2011): the current mayor Anthony Vaz.
Vaz told NJ.com seven years ago that he wanted to rebrand the beach town as a family resort.
How’s that going?
Then, four years later, Vaz (a Republican) endorsed Phil Murphy’s 2021 reelection bid and lauding a Democrat incumbent who Vaz said “supports our community.”
The mayor’s definition of “support” is as curious today as it was back in 2021.
Before Vaz endorsed Murphy, the Murphy Administration enacted a law which made it impossible for local law enforcement to police crowds of unruly teens before things turn violent. Other than warn the children and, after repeat offenses, eventually inform parents? All police could do is stand by and watch as children got high, drunk, and primed for bad behavior in public spaces. Searches were restricted. Police were threatened with criminal sanction. Parents couldn’t be informed until a second incident.
The law was tweaked in 2024 to pull back on expanded liability for police under the original version, but Murphy vetoed a modest $50 fine for minors consuming liquor and police are still patroling boardwalks and other public places with one hand tied behind their back.
The damage was also done. The culture of these boardwalks was forever changed for the worse.
Vaz de facto endorsed this chaos when he endorsed Phil Murphy, and he’s complained about the craziness before (2023 was a particularly rough Memorial Day Weekend) but has yet to pay a political price for his role in all of it. Most especially the actions of those 21 minors who were arrested over the weekend.
It’s important to remember WHY we’re here, folks. This is an election year. Who’s in charge of our state and our kids matters.
Let’s remember:
Seaside Mayor Anthony Vaz is a fake Republican who endorsed Phil Murphy in 2021.
Murphy’s policies which make it impossible to police the boardwalks is directly to blame here, so Vaz shares culpability! pic.twitter.com/fVMrifSk1T
— Matt Rooney (@MattRooneyNJ) May 26, 2025
