Point Pleasant Beach Bars Allowed Stay Open To 2 AM

Michael Halfacre, the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State Department of Law and Public Safety has issued a stay to Point Pleasant Beach’s Ordinance establishing a midnight closing time for bars in the borough.  The bars can stay open till 2 am pending a hearing and final ruling.

Halfacre ordered that a hearing on the matter be conducted by an Administrative Law Judge.  Halfacre will make a final determination, as provided by law, of the hours of operation of Point Pleasant Beach bars after review the Administrative Law Judge’s findings.   The hearing date is yet to be set.

In his order granting the stay, Halfacre noted that the 2 am closing time maintains the status quo, that should the bars prevail in their appeal that they would be unable to recover the lost business that would have resulted from a midnight closing time while the case was pending, and that the borough has several methods available to preserve the public safety until the final resolution of the appeal.

Jenkinson’s Pavilion Inc, Ocean Dunes, Inc, and Martell’s Tiki Bar, Inc are the companies that filed the appeal with ABC.

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Attorney General Wants Underage Drinkers to Come Up Empty in Booze Quest at the Jersey Shore

30 Shore Law Enforcement Agencies Will Participate in “Cops in Shops” Stings

BELMAR – Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa gathered in Belmar today with state and local officials, as well as members of the liquor and prevention industry to outline his plans to stop underage drinking on the Jersey Shore.

“We all look forward to soaking up the fun of the Jersey Shore this summer, but we’re focused today on a serious mission: keeping the good times safe for our teens and young people,” Chiesa said. “Simply put, I consider underage drinking a threat to the health and well-being of our youth in New Jersey.”

The keystone of the Shore efforts is the “Cops in Shops” program, which is run by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

“Cops in Shops” is a program designed by the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers. Under the program, local police officers work undercover in participating retail locations. Law enforcement officials either pose as store employees or are positioned outside the establishment to apprehend adults who attempt to purchase alcohol for underage drinkers. The New Jersey Cops in Shops program is recognized nationally as a successful program.

“One Shore teenager told us that it was common for her and her friends to wait outside a liquor store for a sympathetic adult to buy them alcohol.  She called this ‘Going Fishing,’” Chiesa said.  “My message for those teens and adults of a similar mind is this: Simply don’t do it.”

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ABC Teams with State Police and Cape May Prosecutor to Nab Underage Drinkers and Drunk Drivers on Memorial Day Weekend

TRENTON– The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) partnered in a multi-agency crackdown on underage drinkers in Cape May County during the Memorial Day Weekend that resulted in 11 arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated (DWI).

On May 25, ABC and State Police detectives conducted an underage drinking enforcement detail at Gleeson’s Liquors in Dennis Township. The two agencies monitored the liquor store from the parking lot and watched as six individuals between the ages of 18-20 walked into Gleeson’s and purchased or stole alcohol. The detectives arrested and charged Matthew Napoli, 19, of Voorhees; Ryan Arthur, 18, ofMedford; Joseph Barton, 19, of Drexel Hill,Pa.; Robert Ertel, of Drexel Hill,Pa.; Liam Parker-Correia, of Malvern,Pa.for purchasing alcohol underage. They also arrested and charged Robert Goggin, 20, of Newton Square,Pa.for shoplifting $102 of alcoholic beverages.

During this detail, the State Police arrested Edward Przybyszewski, 23, for DWI after the Williamstown man drove erratically into Gleeson’s parking lot and parked his vehicle in a handicapped spot. Andrew Bertman, 18, of Mt.Holly, was arrested and charged for the same offense.

The following day, the ABC teamed up with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office to work undercover at various establishments in North Wildwood that netted three arrests for consuming alcohol underage. Stacy Pundock, 20, of Thorofare, was arrested at Flip Flopz and Jillian Furey, 20, of Oakford,Pa.and Lauren Haviland, 20, of Warminster,Pa.were both nabbed at Coconut Cove. Furey was also issued a summons for presenting a false identification.

“Working in conjunction with other agencies is ideal because they add local and institutional intelligence that go a long way towards effective enforcement,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre.

Underage drinking and purchasing alcohol underage are disorderly persons offenses, carrying potential fines of at least $500 and a six-month driver’s license suspension. The liquor licenses of establishments involved in last week’s enforcement efforts will be reviewed by ABC for possible administrative charges. Those charges could result in the suspension of the bar’s alcoholic beverage license.

“Cracking down on underage drinking is without a doubt one of our top priorities at the ABC,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre. “Our enforcement efforts in Cape May County on the busy Memorial Day Weekend period and our previous arrests in Atlantic and Bergen prove our focus on enforcement is there. We plan to make ourselves a visible presence on the shore this summer. ”

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Halfacre’s ABC nomination approved by Senate Judiciary Committee

Former Mayor Mike Halfacre’s nomination as the Director of the Division  Alcoholic Beverage Control was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon.

In answering questions posed by members of the committee, Halfacre expressed his commitment to combat underage drinking and to run his agency has a regulatory and enforcement body, not a policy making body.

Halfacre was appointed Assistant Attorney General and Acting Director on February 6.  His nomination is scheduled be voted on by the full Senate on March 15.

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Combating Underage Drinking Is Halfacre’s Priority

Mike Halfacre, the Acting Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said that combating underage drinking will be among his top priorities as he takes the lead of the agency.

“I am honored and excited by this opportunity and I am grateful to Governor Christie and Attorney General Chiesa for the chance to serve the State of New Jersey,” Halfacre said. “From the outset, I will make combating underage drinking a priority, and strive to make our division more efficient and user-friendly to both the public and alcoholic beverage industry.”

The ABC is charged with protecting and furthering the public welfare by fostering moderation and responsibility in the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The agency also ensures the economics of the alcoholic beverage industry to New Jersey by maintaining the stability of the industry and securing state revenues derived from the commerce of alcoholic beverages.

In announcing Halfacre’s appointment, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said,  “Michael Halfacre brings an outstanding record as a municipal legal professional that will be vital to leading the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.  This is an important division with dedicated and expert legal and professional staff which regulates the commerce of alcoholic beverages within New Jersey.”

Additionally, the former Fair Haven Mayor will be responsible for implementing recent legislation that allows New Jersey wineries that produce 250,000 gallons or less of wine annually to ship directly to consumers.  The new law also permits small wineries to operate up to 16 retail outlets each throughout the state.

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Halfacre To Become Director Of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre was nominated by Governor Christie today to become the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The nomination requires the advice and consent of the State Senate. 

Halfacre, who is expected to resign as Fair Haven’s mayor and from his prosecutor jobs in Rumson and Little Silver, is replacing Jerry Fischer who has held the ABC job since 2000.

Halfacre will be leading the 50 person division which regulates nearly 10,000 liquor licensees throughout New Jersey.  The division is charged with implementing the new law that allows New Jersey wineries to ship their products to out of state customers on a limited basis and that allows out of state wineries to ship into New Jersey.

When reached for comment, Halfacre said to pull his ad. He referred all other questions to the Governor’s office.

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