Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn criticized Democratic lawmakers after her attempt to override Governor Phil Murphy’s veto of a bill aimed at curbing public brawls was blocked along party lines last week.
“Democrats and Republicans agreed on this bill after hearing what business owners and law enforcement officers said they needed to address these public brawls. Yet rather than protect our residents, businesses, and visitors to the Shore, politics won out,” Flynn (R-Monmouth) said. “I watched the news coming out of Seaside Heights this weekend and my heart just sank.”
Over Memorial Day weekend in Seaside Heights, police arrested 73 individuals, including 21 juveniles, despite efforts such as a 10 p.m. curfew for minors and increased police patrols. A 21-year-old man from Beachwood faced firearm charges following an altercation at Grant and Ocean Terrace avenues. Three stabbings near the boardwalk prompted authorities to close it shortly after midnight on Monday.
Flynn had sought to have the bipartisan bill (S3507/A4652) enacted before the start of the summer season. The legislation, which passed both legislative chambers, would make inciting a public brawl a fourth-degree crime with penalties up to 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000. It also proposed raising penalties for disorderly persons offenses to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines. Concealing one’s identity to evade arrest or prosecution would also be considered a disorderly persons offense.
Governor Murphy conditionally vetoed the measure on May 8, citing concerns that it could potentially infringe on First Amendment rights by discouraging free speech or peaceful protests and penalizing otherwise lawful activity such as wearing masks.
“It seems to be a Democrat problem that they can’t differentiate between mostly peaceful protests and actual violence,” Flynn said. “This bill targets people inciting brawls and then trying to hide their identities to escape justice. There is real violence happening at shore towns that our mayors and law enforcement are pleading with us in Trenton to address.”
During the May 22 Assembly session, Flynn moved to override the governor’s veto, pointing out that the bill had received unanimous support in both houses of the Legislature. Democrats tabled her motion.
“Why wouldn’t we just override it?” Flynn asked.
