New Jersey Cops Trounce Surfer For Not Displaying Beach Badge (Video)
A surfer in Belmar, New Jersey, has been arrested for not displaying a local beach badge on his wetsuit. Reportedly taking place at 19th Ave. in Belmar, video released on Reddit shows police officers handcuffing the surfer before things escalate and they take him to the ground.
It’s unclear what happened before or after this video was shot, but in what appears to be an excessive use of force given the nature of the infraction, the surfer ends up with a cop’s knee to the back of the head and a mouth full of sand. So much for “just another day at the beach.”
With nearly 400 comments, viewers of the video largely express the sentiments of surfers everywhere.
“Even if he didn’t have the badge (whatever the fuck that is) could this not be solved with like a warning or a ticket? Seems overkill to arrest the guy,” reads one comment.
“Belmar resident. This is disgusting. Even if he didnt have his badge just give him a fine. No need to manhandle the guy. Makes me feel less comfortable in my own town,” reads another comment.
An antiquated rule at beaches in some parts of the Garden State, the practice of requiring beach patrons to display beach badges dates back to the 1930s, and somehow persists to this day. Badges in Belmar cost $12/day for adults, while children under 13 are free. Seasonal badges are also sold for $80. The badges are required to be on the beach in Belmar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. They’re usually sold at local beach shacks or lifeguards stands.
SURFER has not been able to confirm the identity of the surfer or what eventually happened to him after tape stopped rolling. We hope he’s not doing hard time in Rikers, and if he is, we hope he’s out in time for the next swell…first set wave is all his.
Related: Hurricane Ernesto Brings A-Plus Summertime Surf To East Coast
Related: Acclaimed New York Photographer Andrew Blauschild Pronounced Dead in Montauk