Taking pictures gets you a fine!!! I would love to see that defended in any court
other then their own!!!

You are guys are not going to gain any support from the rest of NJ if you keep this up. You are not special.

Why are all taxpayers footing the security bill for a private community of mostly second homes? How long are we expected to do so?

POLICE STATE

Its a sham people are that stupid. I took a drive 2 weeks ago, and i couldnt believe the amount of people parking on the side of the road taking pictures. No need for that when the media is providing pictures. Alot were out of staters.

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave !!!!

Ha Ha Ha

I was at Ortley for the first time since Sandy a few weeks ago. Yes, I took my camera to take pix...sorry, but I just don't see the harm. Oh, by the way, I was with family who live in Ortley, NOT sight seeing and NOT a second home. I am just as horrified as others to see the damage...the barrier island was just as important to me since I have spent many a day cycling along the shore. Pictures are not a crime for personal use.

I don't think "unwanted tourism" is a charge that will stand up in court.

I have a video I took in June 1986 from just north of Herbert to Canal Lane in Unit 2. Does that mean I can be arrested, too?

I would check with the division of community affairs to see if they approved any such ordinance regarding unwanted tourism.

All ordinances must be approve by them. They also must pass a test of constitutionality. For instance a town cannot ban the wearing of a green hat and issue summons for wearing one.

A check by your attorney or even by you to the NJ Division of Community affairs will tell if you broke any such law. Many towns put these things on the books because it suits them and use it anyway even though it is not approved. If you pay it, then they get the money, if you fight it then they walk away. Either way I know of no such law statewide or one that would fit.

Why is it in the day and age of terrorism legal to photograph NJ Transit trains, but not a wrecked house in Mantolooking NJ where no one died.

How many photos were taken at the WTC where we lost three thousand. Kind of ridiculous that these people want our tax money, donations, and business yet treat us this way. To heck with them.

No picture taking is not a crime but I think that people need to be more respectful to the fact that there were more than just homes lost here and that lives were lost. And no these were not just vacation homes for many, and no many of these families are still living in hotels or temporary housing. Would you want to feel as if you were a tourist attraction or that your life that has just been ripped apart is now being so rudely documented by out of towners ? Just show some respect for these families that have lost so much and that still haven't been able to get back anything close to normal.

This message is to all of you including Gov Christie who have been squawking about Sandy relief. Mantoloking has took a big brunt of the storm and many homes are ruined. Most are "vacation" homes, not primary residences. They have been and will be fighting the placement of protective dunes which would have and will help in the future. Would you believe some are now getting estimates to get their swimming pools ready while many homes in other towns still look like broken toys? And now it is a crime to (gasp) take a picture! Stories like this are starting to erode any sympathy towards those people who have suffered. It makes one wonder if Mantoloking deserves any help in rebuilding. Again I feel badly for those in genuine need because sadly they will be lumped in by this in the minds of many.

Taking pictures can get you arrested? Was anyone arrested in Point Beach, Bay Head, Seaside, etc.,. for taking pictures after the storm? I don't think so.

This is a lifetime event and everyone feels the pain, what do you expect people to do?

Don't forget to put that sign up in the summer - Tourists Unwanted.

license plate scanners are becoming more and more popular with police departments. they scan for expired registrations, and coming soon expired inspection stickers.

while getting my car washed not long ago, a police car was behind me getting dried off, he got 4 hits of expired regi s in a matter of 3 minutes...on passing cars.

you thought red light camera s was bad ?

Hooray and kudos to them for ticketing the "Lookie Loos" who are treating this tragedy as a tourist attraction. It is despicable that folks are taking pictures of our worst nightmare and then taking them back to their complete homes and intact neighborhoods to share our horror with their friends. Taking pictures from a passenger seat while the driver drives the speed limit and keeps his or her eyes on the road, okay. Ghoulish, but I will have to accept that. But to tie up traffic, or even worse stop dead to document the destruction and heartbreak of so many people is cold and mean. I say good, fine their butts! I only wish that this was being done all the way from Ortley Beach. If people aren't crawling 10 miles under the speed limit to gawk, they are flying by doing 45. I am loving this article. And for the record? I am not from Mantoloking and I live in a very humble dwelling in the Toms River Twp. section of the Barrier island. It just saddens me so to see folks getting morbid pleasure from this horrific event. *Stepping down from my soapbox now*

It's sad to read these comments, whether its a second home or primary residence it is someone's home, with their memories that were lost. No one wants to see or needs gawkers taking pics of their devastation, I know, I was personally affected in Brick and during our cleanup in our neighborhood had many people come thru taking pics while we stood crying..

I do live one of the areas also hit by Sandy and we did have our house flooded and I've had our friends and family directly effected by all of this and yes we are jumping through all of the hoops that we are supposed to try and get funding to repair/rebuild . It becomes hard enough to navigate through all of that everyday and still find the stred of normalcy that we once new before Sandy swept it out from underneath us. And if the police are scanning plates and people are coming up without registrations isn't there responsibility as the owners of that vehicle to make sure that is taken care of. What if it was your homes that these "sight see-ers" were checking out? In the early days after Sandy hit there were looters and people just coming in taking things from homes, this is not ok. Again , people need to be respectful, it is a word that seems to be lost on so many in the world these days. Very sad...

Most of us grew up on the "Jersey Shore", and while I agree those homeowners want a certain anount of protection, and don't necessaraly like us gawkers, they should remember we are also in awe of the destruction.

Ticketing folks for taking pictures is just dumb, unless they are directly in an area where heavy equipment is in use, and are creating a hazzard.

"The borough is defining unwanted tourism as motorists stopping their vehicles to take pictures of the destruction from Superstorm Sandy."

That's very convenient for them, but isn't worth the paper it is written on unless that have a statute on the books. Any first year law student would be able to have that dismissed, and anyone that received such as summons should fight it. The woman doing 50 in a 25mph zone deserved a speeding ticket, nothing more. Regarding Mantoloking; it is not a 'private' community; a state highway runs thru the middle of it.

The scraping ones I can see getting arrested and fined but what is so wrong with taking pictures? Oh I know, the state doesn't want anyone to know about how slow things are going. Nothing like wasting tax payer money and time.

were tickets written for taking pictures or obstructing traffic ?

Per William Hammski: " Arrested for disobeying a lawful order to not stop and gawk and take pictures by obstructing traffic. END OF DISCUSSION !" Well thank you Mr. Hammski, glad you cleared that up for us peasants, and thanks for letting us know this discussion is ended. You must be a real big shot. I ask once again, how many people were arrested in Pt. Beach, Bay Head, and parts of Brick for taking pictures? My guess; none. Why is Mantoloking so sacred? Money, power and connections? Who'd a thunk it.

Not only loss of people homes even if its there second summer home its a major change to the appearance of The Jersey Shore and income to our business local or major retails..

Anyone who's lived here any amount of time knows driving though their is a death trap ... doesn't surprise me they have gone to this extent. Another reason to avoid that town ... but COMES HELP US ... come help me I don't care if you take pictures I just want to move home ...

We are building sandcastles at low tide. Anything that is done is temporary until the next high tide.
Where do you think the Barnagat Inlet came from in the first place.
What we see, and where we are, is a snap shot in time and all the preparations and man-made dunes and stilted houses are not going to stop the next "Sandy".
Rebuild and enjoy your lives wherever they may be. Life is too short to worry about the next storm.
It will come again, someday, and there is nothing you can do to stop its effects.
Only human arrogance would think different.

""For the first time in my life, I saw a woman in her Mercedes driving 50 m.p.h. along Route 35 filming the length of the borough of Mantoloking," said Nelson." - Mr Nelson....how were you allowed to drive 50mph through Mantoloking following this person? or are you just B.S.'ing the people again?

Know what's holding up Mantoloking's recovery process.....Chris Nelson. Self proclaimed recovery expert. NOTHING happens without his Ok.

Take a look around Mantoloking....you are the furthest behind town on the coast with recovery....and you were NOT the worst hit. Ortley was hit worse. Union Beach was hit worse....they are moving forward. You sit and "wait" for your hero to organize and save the day.

ok I took pictures. I was a passenger and I didn't have my boyfriend stop anywhere we just kept it rolling as he drove down and back up 35. I did it for a reason. People up north DONATED TO THE RELIEF EFFORT -- GET it!!! WE DONATED and I thought the people who couldn't get down to see the devastation can see it in the pictures I took and it might generate additional monies for your rebuilding efforts! Get over it. People gawk its human nature. as long as they don't go into your dwellings, or up to the windows, or cause an obstruction on an open road -- they can take pictures if they want. and while I don't mind FEMA helping those who lost their primary homes -- I don't want my governmental monies through FEMA used to rebuild your vacation home. If you have the money to have a second home, or a vacation home, then its on you. I'm worried about those families who grew up here, shopped here, went to schools here and wanted to keep living here. those that are year-round Mantoloking residents, and its those that I want my money to help.

deejaycee says > "I don't want my governmental monies through FEMA used to rebuild your vacation home." FEMA money cannot be used on vacation homes, only primary residences.

Although I, too, had my "BS ALERT" flag up on that comment, I have to agree, at least partially, with their claim of being "the hardest hit", as I didn't see another place where there was an inlet ripped right through. I have sympathy for that situation.

Oh good grief! No one is being arrested for taking pictures they are being issued summons for blocking up the roadway BY PARKING just to take pictures. My co-worker lives in Ortley and he said it was made clear that they are allowing traffic back but at NO TIME ARE PEOPLE TO PULL OVER AND LOITER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ANY REASON. They are still in the major process of rebuilding. What is so hard about this concept that we have hysterical nimrods proclaiming we are in a police state now? Get a grip people.

Mr.Hammski seems to be a little butthurt about this whole situation and everyone's views. Someone was bullied in middle school. All hail the brick patch commenter king.

To William, I agree with you. Your town may do anything they want. But you should take care of yourselves too. That means NO dunes, no subsidized flood insurance, and no FEMA money. You have the means, fix it yourself and we'll stay away. Good luck.

so many unkind comments. If you were lucky enough to be spared, then be thankful. If you were not, you don't need to read such garbage.

I wish you would properly remove yourself from this entire thread considering no one cares about your opinions. WE ARE DONE. See what I did there?

Did you not understand the whole "we are done" part of that? Or is that something only you are entitled to use? Don't you have a bridge to guard you troll.

Hammski, get off your high horse. You sound exactly like the pompous arses that believe the ocean is theirs because it is in front of their homes. Did you stay only on your property since the storm or did you too go survey the damage out of natural human curiosity? If a car that is pulled over and not hindering traffic wants to take a picture on a public street, so be it. You and your town should be ashamed of its arrogance when our tax money and donations are going to help rebuild your part of town. Show some class and put a sock in it.

Dunes will not protect you from another Sandy anymore than a sweater will protect you from the winter cold.
The question is: how much protection is adequate without ruining the normal summer experience.
That argument will only be solved, rationally, not emotionally - which is happening all over, not just on the Island.

Actually Mr. Hammski, I've lived at the Shore my entire life, and don't live very far from your beloved Mantoloking. I don't receive "Obammy" money because I work for a living. BTW, I'm a well educated professional, and unlike you, don't expect local government to keep my little bit of the Shore off limits for other citizens.

OK I have to speak up!! From Pt. Pleasant to Island Beach State Park The Barrier Island Was Hit by the worst Storm in History!! The Towns and the Residents are trying to REBUILD!! It is Destruction at its worst!! There are people and very large machines trying to clean up and put it back Together for both Residents and tourists to come back to, to LIVE and to visit. If people who do not belong there are getting in the way, by stopping and driving to just take pictures, YOU ARE getting in the way, which takes away from the time that they need to fix it !! Also because people may be not there does not give anyone the right to Trespass on private property either, which has been happening!! Thank you all for your opions of what you think is your right but you are possibly not thinking clearly as to what is going on!

Would to see the town's arguement against taking pictures hold up against a 1st amendment lawsuit...

Hey Joe, You are Blowing smoke - This thread has been worn out and it's not about taking pictures, it's about obstructing traffic.

Should we all just agree with Hammski so he could feel accomplished on being today's a-hole? Go back to your rocking chair at the retirement home, and proof read your replies first before posting. Since you also happen to be a punctuation and grammar officer, your replies should have no mistakes, so stop correcting others when you can't even get your replies typed out right.

It's a public community and public roads. Pre-storm people always parked on the side of 35 and there was no "Obstructing traffic" or *gag* "Unwanted tourism". Public tax dollars go toward that entire community yet the entitled few want it to be treated like a gated community. Just because someone has to drive through there for whatever reason and do not have property there does not mean we should be treated like criminals.

I am now bored with all the interlopers that try to defend themselves. I will probably not be answering many more of your inane uneducated comments. POOF.

the barrier island has become a police state... cops being paid hours and hours of overtime to protect privet property I don't get it ... most homes are empty during normal winters and there is not wild looting and scrapping. Why pay cops to patrol the beach 24/7 on ATVs …Is someone taking sand ??? . looks like a money grab to me. I think I am going to stay away

Lets see if we can let New Yorkers and North Jersey people know that Mantoloking doesn't want unwanted tourism! Don't rent there, don't go to stores or beach there, Let's see, what do we name the Facebook and Twitter pages dedicated to the boycotting of Mantoloking this summer? Your suggestions welcomed.

I live near the Mantoloking Bridge and have been driving over it daily back and forth to work since it reopened northbound. Mantoloking is a devastation with large construction vehicles of all types driving to and fro their intended work sites. Cranes, sand vehicles, some equipment I'm not even familiar with. When I am driving, there are people in front of me, and those vehicles, that are slowing to look, that are distracted by gawking, not paying attention to the road, the large construction vehicles coming at them, the police and workers on the sides of Route 35, and in general are just in the way, whether they are taking pictures or not taking pictures. If you don't belong there, don't be there. I completely do not agree with the silver spoon aspect of it, but for the sake of the workers, the police, and people using the roadway strictly for commuting, stay out of there. There is nothing to see but devastation and rebuilding. It is frustrating to me to see the onlookers, I can just imagine how the workers feel. Get out of their way and let them do their jobs, and not have to be endangered doing it. This is not a plight for the homeowners, because I don't feel they are any different than anywhere else, by any means, its just that the roadway is narrow, the debris is everywhere, there are vehicles that need to be there blocking some of the road...and anyone not paying attention due to rubber necking are potentially endangering these people.

You have to love the fact that the Hampster learned a new word and has thrown it in most of his/her responses to act as if he/she is well educated. My guess is a winter renter in Seaside Heights with an internet connection.

If you don't need unwanted tourism rhen shut that portion of 35 back down. Leave it open to contractors, emergency vehicles, & residents to that area only. It's just another way for them to start earning revenue again.

Can we set up police roadblocks on the southbound Parkway in July and August to check vehicles for orange people in muscle shirts and tight mini skirts and charge THEM with "unwanted tourism"?

The one thing all of these trespassers have to remember is that these are homes. Would you welcome someone to come photograph your home as if it were a museum? Seriously if you don't live in the general beach area, stay home.

Seriously, it's the storm of the century and people are curious.

So sorry for everyone's losses & indeed people should not create traffic hazards, delays & violations where people are trying to put their lives back together!! Also, I am sorry for your frustration William Hammski & the intrusions of those inconsiderate. Most people are, in general, in awe of the destruction of Mother Nature- it's human nature & curiosity, & likely are photographing that as opposed to anyone's personal tragedy, though there are always a few jerks looking to capitalize off of someone else's loss specifically, & for those idiots, I'm sure there are many who are sorry. However, that being said, you, sir are rude & belligerent & just plain snotty. You drive away tourism & $ for a town that could use all of the tourism $ they can get. Think of others who need people to come back & spend their $s there- there are far nicer people elsewhere that would get my $! Hoping your town & people come back stronger & more grounded in community than ever before, as well as all of the communities hit. Prayers for all affected!!!

Billy the Kid seems to have that "Get off my lawn, you kids" mentality. And his comments have not been very productive. Mantoloking has no public beach, it is mostly all private, multi-million dollar, multi-storied, houses that is built with one road and is used, by the majority of people, to travel thru with a single two-lane, two-way road.
If you want to see "lookee-lou"s on any given day, then just watch the cars traveling through "town" attempting to get to the other end - all the while being the person you are complaining about.
It is only from the lack of a by-pass road that there is any traffic there at all.
It is what they want and they complain about it - because they got it!

Prior to Sandy, getting a ticket in Mantoloking was very easy to do. My son was headed to work, but realized he forgot something. He went to make a right turn on a side street to turn around and was pulled over for making an illegal turn (as they put it). This street always allowed for right turns. The officer had his SUV blocking a temporary sign saying "no right turn" due to some construction. My son was unable to view it due to him blocking it. What it basically comes down to, they have their own "special" protection. People are very tired of driving through Mantoloking and Bay Head and worrying about doing the slightest thing wrong.

I'm sure you think this will deter people from driving on Rt. 35, but it will not. It's the easiest route to Point Pleasant (where many young kids work).

Furthermore, you should consider drawing the blinds, disconnecting phone, television, & internet access, and move to Montana if what you see and hear in an intensly populated state such as NJ disturbs you.

First of all the Beaches should be free in this rip off state.

This is the perfect time for the state to use eminent domain and dualize Route 35. No sense keeping the traffic jam going on for decades when the homes that are destroyed are only worth the land values.

Hammski can't possibly be real. Nobody is that wretched a person. Do or did you have a nice beachfront home??? Please tell us all your address so we can all park our butts on the beach in front of your home. Right where the water can tickle our toes when it splashes to shore. And in harmony, we'll recite, maybe chant the state's public land use doctrine over and over again til the cows come home.

Gotta love it! NJ government is spending big chunk of initial FEMA funds on "marketing" to tell all the tourists it OK to visit the shore this summer and see the sights. Maybe they should set up a tram ride to go up and down 35 now to get things rolling and bring some dough in.

Wow you pretty much lost any kind of credibility with that last racist statement Hammski. Do us a favor, let me duck tape you to your wheel chair and ill let Jose have the pleasure of pushing you off the fun town pier while I take pictures. You're a POS

It's also check point not choke point

I meant choke point, not check point.

So was your racist statement so ill return the favor and not flag you either. So you going to answer the question or are you just going to sit high on your super educated horse?

Jose,
This guy, Hammski, isn't real. I recognize the style. He's just trying to create bad blood and then sit back and laugh to himself in his bedroom in his mother's house. He did the same thing during the election. He tried to come off as a conservative Republican saying some pretty offensive things. Some readers fell for it but he's like a little kid telling the same joke over and over and thinking it's just as funny no matter how many times he tells it.

Swamps says > "I recognize the style. He did the same thing during the election." You would be incorrect since I was not around during the election. I joined Patch just roday.

You really are a small child Hammski. I don't think it's worth belittling you because you've already done that with your worthless rants and attempts at trying to taunt people via the Internet. I've been trying to put a face to your name this entire time but I've settled on a horses a*s because it seems the most fitting.

William Hammski:
You come across as a mean spirited decrepit man who wants nothing more to be left in his own swallar. You get some kind of a thrill resorting to non-productive name calling and apparently defending some area which you don't know anything about or don't live in or near, according to you.
Years ago, I would probably have said that you and New Jersey would be pufact together. But, I have seen the resilience and resolve of those actively rebuilding and I think you deserve to be in the class of Imperial Mayor Hypocrite Bloomberg and his lap dog consort the Governor "Mini-Pious" Cuumo. You might be better off swimming back across the Hudson where you belong. But I'm afraid that you will try to ruin the spirits of those working hard to continue to put that City back together again, too.

Jeffy > "defending some area which you don't know anything about or don't live in or near, according to you." Again incorrect, I have multiple dwellings, some on the barrier island also.

What an opportunity here,

charge a $2.00 to enter Rt 35 from Point Pleasant per car - exiting Mantoloking Bridge, then charge another $4.00 to continue to sea side. Then reverse the trip. $4.00 from Seaside to Mantoloking Bridge and another $2.00 to continue towards point.

Why.? you'll be able to give a good portion back to all those residents who live there 50/50 split. Just run it for the next 3 months.

This way everyone wins, The Towns get a cut and the people who are struggling there can get a check in 90days. you already know who lives there.? they all have FEMA numbers, they've all been identified to who's who.. what a great opportunity for tourism into the are for the next 90 days, and those people will be able to get something back.