When a two-minute video of a surfer being arrested by Belmar police went viral on social media, controversy ensued. In response, the Belmar police department released body-camera footage to provide context to the incident.
Police Chief Tina Scott stated that 28-year-old surfer, Liam Mahoney from Junction City, California, was arrested for obstructing police and resisting arrest during the encounter on Tuesday.
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The bodycam footage, about six minutes long, captures an officer confronting Mahoney, who is holding his surfboard. Despite the officer’s order to stay, Mahoney attempts to leave, leading to threats of arrest. When Mahoney refuses to comply and resists arrest, the officers forcefully detain him, leading to a heated confrontation with beach visitors.
As the situation escalates, Mahoney is eventually handcuffed and escorted to a police vehicle amidst the chaos.
(Warning: The video below contains profanity.)
In her statement, Scott explained that officers were checking beach badges following complaints of surfers trespassing through the dunes. Mahoney’s refusal to show his badge or identification led to his arrest.
Scott emphasized that the arrest was not for lack of a beach badge but for obstructing the investigation and failing to cooperate with the officers.
Furthermore, Scott highlighted the right of beach municipalities to charge fees for maintenance and mentioned that a review of the arrest is underway according to state guidelines.