The annual Far Hills Race, also known as “The Hunt,” typically attracts more than 35,000 people. The crowd gathers to celebrate and to help raise money for the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville NJ. However, in recent years the event has been marred by arrests among attendees. Last year, police made more than 30 arrests involving drinking and disorderly conduct last year.

This year, new policies were put in place to limit the number of criminal incidents. The new regulations banned attendees from bringing alcohol onto the premises through the general admission gates. The only locations where alcohol was permitted were the corporate tents, the catered parties, and the reserved tailgating area. NJ State Police, local police, and private security company Gateway One Security collaborated to enforce the new policy.

Despite the best efforts of event organizers, this year’s Far Hills Race saw an increase in arrests and criminal offenses among those in attendance. According to Far Hills police, 55 people were arrested and charged at this year’s event. Police said that 30 people were charged with public urination, nine (9) people were charged with improper behavior, eight (8) people were charged with offenses related to drugs or drug paraphernalia, six (6) people were charged with disorderly conduct, one (1) person was charged with possessing a false identification card, and one (1) person was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI).

These charges can have serious consequences for the people arrested. In New Jersey, disorderly conduct is addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. The statute classifies disorderly conduct as a petty disorderly persons offense. If convicted of disorderly conduct, an offender could be sentenced to as many as 90 days in jail and fined up to $500.00.

To learn more, check out the DailyRecord.com article entitled “Police Bust 55 People at Far Hills Race for Public Urination, Drugs.”