BELMAR, NJ – A day of surfing at Belmar Beach, NJ, took a surprising turn when a surfer was roughed up and detained by police, all because his beach badge wasn’t properly displayed. The incident, which has sparked local outrage, unfolded when the surfer, who had the required badge, was hanging ten out in the surf. Unfortunately, his badge wasn’t visible—a detail that led to a tense encounter with law enforcement.
The people involved are claiming this was all over a beach badge not being displayed.
After finishing his session and coming ashore, the surfer was confronted by police officers, who, according to witnesses, didn’t waste time with a warning. Instead, they reportedly threw the surfer to the ground, pinning him into the hot sand, all while detaining him for the beach badge infraction.
Belmar, New Jersey
Beach police arrest and chokehold a surfer for not displaying his beach badge on his wetsuit pic.twitter.com/wpQPhmIMl2
— The Daily Sneed
(@Tr00peRR) August 22, 2024
Belmar Beach requires visitors to purchase and display a beach badge to access the beach. Most people clip these badges to their swimwear, but in this case, the surfer didn’t have his badge in plain view, which apparently triggered the harsh response from the police.
The town has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, leaving many to question whether the police response was proportionate to the situation. As the story gains attention, beachgoers and locals alike are left wondering if this level of enforcement is the new norm for minor infractions.
For now, the surfer’s experience serves as a reminder to everyone at the beach: don’t forget your badge—or you might end up with more than just a sunburn.
