New Jersey beach cops under fire for putting surfer in chokehold 'for not displaying badge on his wetsuit' By Ruth Bashinsky For Dailymail.Com Published: 18:19 EDT, 22 August 2024 | Updated: 18:27 EDT, 22 August 2024 e-mail View comments A group of New Jersey beach police are under fire after placing a surfer in a chokehold for not displaying his beach badge on his wetsuit - but it was reportedly on his beach bag the entire time. The disturbing incident took place on Tuesday at Belmar Beach as surfer Liam Mahoney, 28, of Junction City, California was restrained by two officers while he desperately tried to tell them he has a beach badge.
Video footage shows the two officers placing Mahoney in a violent chokehold and throwing him down on the sand, in front of a group of horrified beachgoers and children who were heard screaming 'let him go.' On Thursday, The Daily Sneed posted the video on X that went viral garnering more than 4.4K views.
Many expressed outrage by how the incident was handled. Mahoney was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice. He was issued a borough ordinance for Beach Badge Required, as per Belmar Chief of Police Tina Scott, 11News reported.
Video footage shows two officers restraining the surfer before placing him in a violent chokehold on the sand The bikini clad woman showed the beach patrol her friends beach badge and was furious for the way they were treating him During the video, a bikini clad woman tells officers, 'He has his pass right here.' The officers did not respond as she continued, 'What are you gonna get f****** 10 more cop cars. His pass is right here.
' Another tattooed beachgoer who witnessed the chaotic scene said aloud about the officers, 'they are d****!.' Moments later, two of the patrolmen grab Mahoney and throw his face down onto the sand as their arms are locked around his neck. 'Stop! Stop!,' said the girl screaming in hysteria.
'Don't f****** touch me,' she told another officer who was walking towards her. The girl's cries grew louder: 'Stop! Stop f****** choking him,' she yelled. She continued: 'What the f*** is this? Stop.
What the fu*** is wrong with you guys? He has a f****** pass.' 'He has the pass right here dumb a**,' she said. As the surfer's face was face down in the sand, he is heard saying to the cops, 'I have a badge.
Trust me, bro.' The officers are seen violently grabbing hold of the surfer An older woman wearing a white two-piece short set walked over to the officers and scolded them. 'Get off of him!,' she said and told the officer.
'This is what happens on the news.' 'Get off of him,' she repeated. 'You are scaring every child you stupid idiots.
' The woman is horrified and speaking to an officer as two police officers are holding down the surfer while bystanders are watching the chaotic scene Surfer Austin Downs also posted the video on his Facebook. 'A local surfer was arrested at Belmar Beach on 19th Avenue for not displaying a beach badge on his wetsuit, despite having the badge attached to his beach bag,' he wrote. 'During the arrest, officers placed him in a chokehold and threw him to the ground.
' He asked those to 'please share.' Many who viewed the video were furious. One person wrote: 'This is unbelievable.
' 'Completely unnecessary use of force,' said another. 'This is outrageous.' Liam Mahoney, 28, of Junction City, California was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, obstruction of justice.
He was also issued a borough ordinance for Beach Badge Required, according Belmar Chief of Police Tina M. Scott 'What a disgrace,' another said, 'I hope he sues the s*** out of them. And they’ll get fired.
' According to The Belmar Beautiful Sea Beach website badges are required to enter the beach seven days a week beginning Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Violators will be issued a summons and escorted from the beach, and may not return until they have obtained a badge. Anyone who is caught walking on a dune will be subject to an additional fine of not less than $500.
But, the website does not state if a beachgoer must always wear the badge while on the beach, as per the news outlet. The Belmar Police Chief said an investigation into the circumstances of the arrest will take place. New Jersey California Facebook Share or comment on this article: New Jersey beach cops under fire for putting surfer in chokehold 'for not displaying badge on his wetsuit' e-mail Add comment.
