Seaside Heights to Take Over Policing of Berkeley Portion of Pelican Island

Seaside Heights police car. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Seaside Heights police have taken over policing services on half of Pelican Island, a move stemming from the annexation of South Seaside Park by Seaside Park borough.

Pelican Island is a small, low-lying island in Barnegat Bay, located near the eastern side of the bay just west of the Route 37 bridges. Although it appears isolated, it is administratively divided between two municipalities: Toms River and Berkeley townships. The municipal boundary runs across the island, and residents pay separate tax bills and receive services from the two municipalities. Police services for the Berkeley Township half of the island was provided by that town by the same units that provided a response to South Seaside Park. But after the annexation of South Seaside Park, Berkeley Township – located nearly a half-hour away – would have to have stationed a unit permanently on the island merely to provide service for a few blocks.

Berkeley Township approached Seaside Heights, located seconds away across the easternmost bridge of the Route 37 causeway, about providing police services, to which they agreed. The service will be provided under an annual fee of $75,000 and the switch officially occurred July 1.

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The sunset over Barnegat Bay, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The sunset over Barnegat Bay, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

“They had the annexation with Seaside Park, so it makes little sense for them to dedicate their own police vehicle there 24-7,” said Seaside Heights Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.

The agreement was formally approved unanimously by the Seaside Heights borough council at their July 1 meeting.

“We’re going to notify the residents of the Berkeley side of the island that we will be taking over police responsibilities,” said Mayor Anthony Vaz.

The Seaside Heights Police Department’s headquarters is located at 116 Sherman Avenue, Seaside Heights, N.J.