Expect Large Police Presence, Several Arrests at This Weekend’s Far Hills Races in Far Hills, New Jersey
New Jersey police anticipate arresting several people at the 95th annual Far Hills Race on Saturday at the 230-acre Moorland Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey.
The Far Hills Race, also referred to by some simply as “The Hunt,” features races with many of the world’s most prolific thoroughbred horses. Race planners said that between 65 and 70 horses will race at this year’s event.
The race doesn’t simply provide fantastic entertainment for those in attendance; it also provides a good deal of money for an excellent cause by raising funds for the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville, New Jersey.
More than 31,000 people attended the event in 2014. Many of those who showed up for the event traveled using the NJ Transit system. Guy Torsilieri, the chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association, noted that the Moorland Farm is “in close proximity to such major area roads as Route 287, 206, 202, and Liberty Corner Road, as well as being easily accessible by NJ Transit.”
Prior to the 2014 event, the Far Hills Race had an unfortunate reputation for attracting individuals who drank too much alcohol and then got disruptive. This led to a surge in complaints about alleged criminal behavior and underage drinking at the races.
Far Hills officials responded by implementing measures to stem the criminal activity. They increased the presence of police officers and security guards throughout the venue, used metal detectors at gates and other entryways, and barred the admission of people who brought their own alcohol.
The 2014 event was monitored by 100 NJ state troopers, several private security guards, and many county and municipal police officers.
Beyond that, the NJ Transit prohibited the possession of alcohol on all trains traveling to Far Hill on race day. Police officers also carefully monitored the so-called “party buses” that were parked at the Moorland Farm parking field.
The measures instituted in 2014 were aimed at significantly reducing criminal activity; however, police still arrested a number of people at the event. A total of 44 individuals were placed under arrest last year for various criminal offenses, including disorderly conduct, underage possession of alcohol, public nuisance, public urination, trespassing, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and destruction of property.
Race event planners have indicated that several hundred police officers will be working the Far Hills Races this upcoming Saturday. With more than 30,000 people expected to be in attendance, police expect to make a number of arrests this year.
The Tormey Law Firm has handled numerous criminal cases from the Far Hills Races in the past. We have successfully represented clients charged with disorderly conduct, urinating in public, and possession of an open container of alcohol, as well as other criminal offenses and municipal violations. If you have been charged with a crime while attending the Far Hills Race, it is imperative that you speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney who can make sure you don’t end up with a criminal charge on your record. Call the Tormey Law Firm now to discuss your case or schedule a free consultation at one of our conveniently located offices in New Jersey.
