NJ Cop Tackles Surfer – Beach Badge Dispute Video
- A summer 2024 arrest involving a California surfer and a beach badge request in Belmar, N.J.,has concluded with a plea deal.
- On Aug. 30, Officer Ryan Braswell approached Mahoney, who was holding his longboard at the water's edge off 19th Avenue.The request for a beach badge, required by most...
- Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott defended the arrest, stating Mahoney "was not arrested for not having a beach badge." Scott said Mahoney obstructed the investigation by refusing to...
A California surfer reached a plea deal after a New Jersey beach badge dispute led to his arrest in the summer of 2024. The Belmar incident unfolded when a police officer requested Liam Mahoney’s beach badge, sparking an argument that escalated into a physical altercation captured on bodycam footage. Officer Ryan Braswell tackled and handcuffed Mahoney, igniting a debate over beach access and police conduct in this Jersey Shore town. Mahoney,who admitted he lacked his badge and was borrowing it,faced charges that included disorderly conduct. News Directory 3 covered this story.He has entered a diversion programme. If prosperous, the charges will be dismissed. Discover what’s next for beach badge policies and police interactions along the Jersey Shore.
Surfer’s Arrest Over Beach Badge Leads to Plea Deal in New Jersey
Updated June 4, 2025
A summer 2024 arrest involving a California surfer and a beach badge request in Belmar, N.J.,has concluded with a plea deal. The incident, which sparked debate over beach access and police conduct, began when a Belmar police officer asked Liam Mahoney, 29, to produce proof of payment for beach access.
On Aug. 30, Officer Ryan Braswell approached Mahoney, who was holding his longboard at the water’s edge off 19th Avenue.The request for a beach badge, required by most new Jersey shore towns to fund beach upkeep and lifeguard salaries, escalated into an argument. Body camera footage shows Braswell tackling and handcuffing Mahoney.
Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott defended the arrest, stating Mahoney “was not arrested for not having a beach badge.” Scott said Mahoney obstructed the investigation by refusing to provide identification and resisted being handcuffed,despite repeated commands.
The video captures Braswell warning Mahoney he would be arrested if he took another step. Mahoney questioned whether he was being arrested “for surfing,” insisting he was not doing anything wrong while in the ocean.
Mahoney, who admitted he didn’t have the badge on him while surfing, explained in court he was going “full commando.” He said he was borrowing the badge from his sister.
Mahoney will enter a diversion programme and pay fines. if completed successfully, charges of disorderly conduct, obstruction, and resisting arrest will be dropped.
What’s next
Mahoney’s successful completion of the diversion program will resolve the legal matter,but the incident has fueled ongoing discussions about beach badge policies and police interactions along the jersey Shore.