New Jersey naughty list: At least 17 arrested during drunken, violent Hoboken SantaCon
12/18/2017 11:03 am PST
By Aliza Chasan, WPIX
HOBOKEN, N.J. -- (WPIX) -- More than a dozen Santas in New Jersey are on the naughty list.
Hoboken police arrested 17 people during Saturday's SantaCon, according to Police Chief Ken Ferrante, who live tweeted the day. The city flooded the streets with officers to handle the thousands of revelers clad in red suits.
"To see the conduct & listen to the dialogue of these individuals is startling," Ferrante tweeted about the people arrested. "All are combative, abusive intoxicated persons."
Just five people were arrested during SantaCon 2016 in Hoboken. Officers had arrested five people by four hours into this year's event.
Most of the arrests were for assault and disorderly conduct. A 22-year-old woman, who was arrested after being involved in a fight, also punched and officer in the face. She is now facing an aggravated assault charge.
One person also spat in an officer's face while being processed.
Hoboken Mayor-elect Ravi Bhalla plans to review every option available for handling the event once in office.
"SantaCon is not welcome in Hoboken," he tweeted. "It's a shame some of our bar owners enable disorderly conduct."
FULL STORY: New Jersey naughty list: At least 17 arrested during drunken, violent Hoboken SantaCon - WPIX