It is expected that New Jersey police will arrest several people at the 95th annual Far Hills Race, set to be held on Saturday at the 230-acre Moorland Farm in Far Hills, NJ.
The Far Hills Race, which is also known by many simply as “The Hunt,” features several races with a number of the world’s most prolific thoroughbred horses. Race organizers said that between 65 and 70 horses will race at the event this year.
The race doesn’t just provide entertainment for those in attendance; it also serves a fantastic cause by raising a great deal of money for the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville, NJ.
More than 31,000 people attended the races in 2014. Many of those attending came to the event by using the New Jersey Transit system. Guy Torsilieri, chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association, observed 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.”
Before 2014, the Far Hills Race was known by some for attracting individuals who consumed too much alcohol and then became disruptive. This led to a number of complaints being filed with respect to alleged criminal activity and underage drinking at the races.
Far Hills NJ officials began to take serious steps in 2014 to stop the criminal activity. They increased the police presence at the races, started to utilize metal detectors at the gates, and prevented the admission of anyone with their own alcohol.
Last year’s event was monitored by 100 New Jersey state troopers, numerous private security guards, and plenty of county and municipal police officers.
Moreover, the New Jersey Transit barred anyone from possessing alcohol on trains traveling to Far Hill NJ on the day of the event. Police officers also made sure to carefully monitor so-called “party buses” parked at the Moorland Farm parking field.
The measures that were instituted last year aimed to reduce criminal activity, but police still had to arrest a number of people at last year’s event. Police arrested 44 individuals 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 organizers have said that several hundred police officers will work the Far Hills Races this Saturday. As more than 30,000 people are expected to be in attendance, it is extremely likely that police will 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.