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POLL: Are Bikinis Too Skimpy for the Boardwalk?

A former Asbury Park councilwoman wants an old ordinance enforced on the boardwalk. Is she right?

 

Next time you go to the beach in Asbury Park, you may need to cover up before you enter the boardwalk.

Last week, Louise Murray, a former Asbury Park councilwomen and the current chairperson of the city’s Republican Party, spoke during the town’s council meeting to raise the issue of a long forgotten ordinance still on the books.  The ordinance, enacted in 1958, states that “no person clad in bathing attire shall be on the boardwalk or the public walks adjacent thereto.”

“I’ll be darned if I want to be standing at a bar and have somebody slither up in a Speedo or bikini that shouldn’t be in a bathing suit,” Murray said, according to the Asbury Park Sun. “It’s disgraceful … I implore you to enforce this, but do not amend it.”

The ordinance, which is no longer enforced, would penalize violators with up to a $2,000 fine, 90 days in jail, or community service.

So Patch asks its readers, should this ordinance be enforced?  Is it indecent to be walking around a boardwalk in a skimpy bikini or Speedo?  Or is this socially acceptable in this generation and this is an archaic ordinance that needs to be struck?

Vote below and let us know in the comments.

  • Should Asbury Park enforce their 1958 dress code on the boardwalk?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes, it's indecent to be walking around in a bathing suit on the boardwalk.
        252 (27%)
    • No, the law is archaic and needs to be struck from the books.
        667 (72%)
    Total votes: 919
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Boardwalk, Louise Murray, Ordinance, asbury park, and bikinis

Juanna

10:39 am on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Asbury Park should be grateful that they finally have become an active beach again. 6 years ago there were homeless sleeping on the beach amongst the trash.
As far as bikinis in bars, that should be the establishments choice. NO Banana Hammocks Please.......

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Juanna

10:55 am on Saturday, June 30, 2012

P.S. back to bikinis in bars.......old enough to drink? (21), old enough to get in and adhere to bar regulations.

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John doe

12:02 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

It's a health issue , if you go back to the swimsuits of The 20's it will cut down on skin cancer, Let's save money on long tirm care by reducing the risk. That is the best thing for all of us.

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Eliot Sash

5:20 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Why don't we all stay inside, that will eliminate skin cancer completely.

Hedley

12:06 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

And the issue is being raised by a 74 year-old Republican. Shocking.

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brutony

4:34 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Um, lets put this in persepctive, liberal doofus-this is by a 74 yr old WOMAN who probably never had a beach body, nor does she want tramps like you to slut around town, ala your butt buddies on Jersey Shore!

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Eliot Sash

5:20 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

She must have seen Christie in a Speedo, just before he helicoptered back to Trenton.

Joe Hennes

1:13 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

If you are a short walk from the beach you should be able to wear a swim suit. If you don't want to see people in swim suits, go to a bar that isn't just 25 yards from the beach. Or, if you absolutely must go to the bar by the beach and absolutely can't stand seeing people in swim suits complain to the management and let them set the dress code for the bar. I guarantee you they will do what their customers want.
So tired of the few trying to enforce their will on the many.

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Juanna

7:30 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

The worst part is that she wants to keep the original 2000 fine and up to 90 days in jail...... that is totally ridiculous. Actually, if you updated the numbers to 2012, the fine would probably be equal to 20k and a few years in jail...... Go to town hall and put it to vote........ otherwise, who cares.....Asbury has life at the beach and the town again....Great for the town. Now concentrate on getting rid of the rest of the real crime.

Richard T. Seng

5:13 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Bathing suits are for the beach. How would like to see someone walk down the boardwalk in a bikini in the Easter Parade? Dress code should be up the bars concerned.

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Juanna

11:35 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

That would be fine.....the St. Patrick's day Belmar parade would probably be ok with that as well...lol

Eliot Sash

5:18 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

If Miss Murray means seeing Governor Christie walking around in a Speedo in Asbury Park then Dear God enforce the ordinance. If this is not what was meant then come into the 21st Century and remove ridiculous laws like this that remain on the books (such as not being allowed to purchase ice cream in Newark on Sundays after 6PM unlles you have a note from your doctor).

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Danelectro59

6:01 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

There's an old law on the books in Caldwell that criminalizes wearing shorts or dancing on Bloomfield Avenue. There's an old law on the books in Newark requiring a note from your doctor in order to purchase ice cream after 6:00 PM. Bikinis at a beach town? Book 'em, Dano.

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Juanna

11:36 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Old law ...maybe still current ...Ocean Grove...no cars on Sunday......of course...no alchohol.

Tom Donovan

6:53 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Bikinis at a beachside bar? What a novel idea! Perhaps the Republican chairwoman should focus on more relevant issues. Christie in a speedo? Wow!

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Stoneglassguitar

7:44 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

Amerika is so crazy.....blood and gore violence is ok but the human body is bad???? then again the muslim countries are filled with berkas and since muslim world will probably take over the world we better get used to it.....everyone cover up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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sp resident

7:59 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

I will definitely be visiting Asbury Park. I think that wearing bathing suits with your breasts hanging out and your butt is totally offensive! I just hate going to the Shore with my kids and these teenagers and ladies walking around like it's a strip club. Keep your suits for the beach, and cover up when you're on the broad walk. Where has all the decency gone?

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Juanna

11:39 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

sp .... is that Spring Lake??? Because, whatever you see hanging out on other beaches will be nothing compared to what you see ON the beach in Asbury Park....Just remember....everyone is equal....The Gay community rebuilt this town and the beach so I hope you are open ......

Karen Banda

11:44 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012

If I looked as good in a bikini as those girls do, I'd wear it to church. Just sayin'!

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Pad

4:33 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Asbury Park should focus on real problems and this council person should get a life. Its 2012 not 1812. What BS this issue is. Now we have the bathing suit police to go with the food police, the phone police etc etc. How about worring about the crime, drug, alcohol and povety problem in Asbury Park. Another NIMBY who is going to control people with archaic rules and regulations. Hey while we are at it why don't we ban kissing, hand holding of hetero and same sex couples. See it all the time in Asbury Park maybe that offends her also. Get a life and stop worrying about other people.

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sp resident

7:41 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Juanna, I don't get what your are talking about, how did gay get into this topic? I always wear a bikini on the beach and cover up when i return to the broadwalk. I think having class is something that seems to be forgotten when you go to the shore. What about the people who don't go to the beach but like going to the broad walk and are
just disgusted by all the stuff in their faces? And not because I have a great shape I would walk around faulting myself with my skimpy bikini. Maybe in a few hundred years people might want to walk around the broad walk naked? Good going!

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elizabeth disbrow

8:51 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Just my opinion but I believe you should be able to wear your bikini on the boardwalk,and beach. As for bars let them decide their policy and whether bikinis should be allowed or not. If they dont't mind and they allow it then maybe people who don't agree should go to a different bar.
I do agree its 2012, your going to see alot of more "skimpy" clothing, but we do not need bikini police on patrol.

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june

7:51 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Just put on a coverup when not on the beach - is that so difficult?

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body to die for

11:56 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

The Republican party chair of the city would like to dictate what people can and can't do. Sounds like Scotch Plains.

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