Behind an attempt to crack down on “teen nights” at a Long Beach Island resort is a political “witch hunt” that is headed to court after the bar’s owner launched a voter-raising campaign among his young patrons, it is alleged.
Weekly summer parties have been held at the Marlin Restaurant and Bar on Long Island, New Jersey, since 1989.
But councillors refused to renew its licence in June after the city’s police chief said teenagers queuing to enter the premises were now “out of control”.
The bar’s owner, Michael Battista, is a former commissioner and mayor of the coastal city and claims his successors are violating his young patrons’ right to assemble and their right to free speech.
“Taxpayers should be outraged at the money the district is going to spend to defend a bad decision to ban teen night,” he said.
DJ Erin Constantine entertains guests at Marlin Restaurant’s Teen Night in Beach Haven
Beach Haven police chief said teens in queues were now “out of control”
Beach Haven Police Chief James Markoski told council members his department did not have the resources to police the town as well as the row where teens fight, damage property and “think it’s a joke” when police intervene.
“I’m not against teen night, it had its place, it’s just out of control now,” he said.
“It’s a public safety issue.”
Council members voted 3-2 not to extend the license, with Batista criticizing a “witch hunt” and “selective enforcement,” pointing to unlicensed venues that “have crowds of teenagers present on weekend nights, and patrons, as well as bar patrons, spilling out onto the sidewalk.”
She also claimed that Councilwoman Colleen Lambert had cast the deciding vote because she had voted against her becoming mayor in January of last year.
“If there was an issue like that, why wasn’t it raised during the offseason when we had time to discuss it and hopefully work things out?” he asked.
“Now they surprise me with this just before the summer season.”
“I’m not surprised,” Lambert said. sandpaper.net.
‘The truth is, as I’ve said publicly on several occasions, I never thought teen nights were a good idea, but only supported them because our police department did it.
“The moment our boss said he no longer believed they were in the city’s best interest, I agreed, and obviously two other council members did as well.”
Battista launched a voter education program earlier this year that requires teenagers lined up to click on a QR code that would take them to a petition asking them to vote in the November presidential election.
Leaflets with more information on how to vote were distributed inside the bar.
Their teenage nights had already made headlines in August 2021, when they were suspected of being the source of at least 20 cases of COVID-19.
But young customers said banning teen nights would be counterproductive.
“Some people think it’s not a good idea to have us all in one place, but it’s safe and it’s a good place to have fun and talk to people,” said Sophia Im, 17.
“It’s no different than when people go to the beach and hang out there.”
“It’s very social and you’ll definitely make new friends,” added Kayla Clinton, 16.
“If they were to take it away, I think it would restrict the ability for all teenagers to meet new people, and teen night helps us get out of the same daily routine of just going to the beach, going shopping.”
Ocean County Superior Court will be asked to rule on Battista’s lawsuit after a New Jersey federal court judge sent it back for adjudication.
The venue has hosted its teen nights since 1989, but has now opened them up to all ages.
Meanwhile, Battista has opened his teen nights to customers of all ages in an attempt to get around the ban.
“The municipality’s actions violate several articles of the United States Constitution,” he said.
‘These are the right to assembly, the right to freedom of expression and the right to non-discrimination.
‘It’s a safe and supervised event where underage children can enjoy socializing with their friends, meeting new friends and enjoying the summer of their dreams.’