Rowdy Flash Mobs Disrupt Atlantic City’s Inlet

Residents of Atlantic City's Inlet neighborhood turned out recently at a community meeting to complain about teen parties that have been popping up this summer.

Atlantic City Police say they will increase patrols in the area to handle the flash mob parties.

Flash Mobs Are Partying in AC's Inlet

According to The Press of Atlantic City, large groups of teens have gathered in the Inlet neighborhood several times this summer, getting more rowdy each time. The latest flash mob party on Friday, July 18th, grew to include more than 100 teens.

Tom Lamaine, the retired weather guy from CBS 3 Philly, who lives in the Inlet, served as the spokesperson for his unhappy neighbors.

"They began partying on private property, even to the extent of hooking up their speakers and cellphones".

Lamaine said one vacationing family had trouble getting through the crowd to enter their home.

After the flash mob incident, the family soon decided they had had enough.

"They canceled the rest of their vacation. Now you can imagine what this did for the perception of Atlantic City."

 

City Officials Hear Grievances at CitiStat Meeting

At last week's CitStat meeting, where city department directors and reps from Stockton University and the NJ Dept of Community Affairs let residents voice concerns about life in AC, the flash mob parties were the main topic.

Public Safety Director Sean Riggin agreed with Tom Lamaine that the teen parties in the Inlet were a concern and that the term 'flash mob' was accurate..

News about these flash mob parties spreads quickly on social media, and that can make it hard for police to react and respond. Riggan asked the Inlet neighbors to reach out to police and let them know what's happening.

"We need that help from residents, but when those kids show up, you're going to get a robust response. You did get a robust response ( at the last party), and you'll continue to get that", Ribggin told LaMaine, according to the Press of Atlantic City.