Hundreds Of Needles Washed Up On Our Monmouth County Beaches

I feel so sick right now. Hundreds of used needles have washed up on a bunch of our Monmouth County beaches from Sandy Hook to Long Branch with over 100 needles found according to recent reports. At first we heard that it was the storms "churning up waste" (which felt very wrong by the way)...that would make sense for one needle, not over 100 across our beaches over the same weekend. Officials are saying illegal dumping is to blame. I'm seeing red...I know you are too...This. Hits. Home.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Among other beaches, syringes were spotted at Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch, exactly where my family hangs out to enjoy a beautiful summer day.

Photo credit: Shannon Holly

How on earth can someone dump medical waste into the ocean and sleep at night?!?! Of course this is NOT what local businesses need post COVID but of course we have to talk about it. Workers wearing sneakers and gloves have removed over 100 needles according to recent reports. As of this afternoon, all the affected beaches have been cleaned and have since reopened.

County officials are investigating right now. Some are saying that much of what was found are from diabetics flushing their used needles down the toilet but we want answers. If illegal dumping was the cause, the search better be ON!

On a personal note, my in-laws are coming to visit soon and we had plans to take them to Long Branch for the day, my favorite spot. If you were me, would you be taking them for a beach day there after this? Does "cleaned up" mean there is no chance of one being missed in the sand as they walk barefoot? I know Monmouth County is doing everything they can to fix this, I believe that but it is outrageous this happened to us at all.

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