SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (PIX11) -- Like countless others, Ken and Marion Hockenbury have spent many summer days and nights on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.
"Yeah, 30 years," said Marion Hockenbury.
Coming all the way from Warren County, it's a happy place - not somewhere they say they have to think about safety.
"Never," said Ken Hockenbury. "Never had any problem."
Over Memorial Day weekend, a report of shots fired led to a scare. Police found no evidence that it happened -- but many described the scene as chaotic.
"It doesn't bother me," said Ken Hockenbury. "Because it's an isolated incident."
"I've been coming to Seaside Heights since I was five," said Denise Wagner, a Dumont resident. "I've seen a lot happen here, however, you still come."
That same holiday weekend, a teen was stabbed in Ocean City, and in Wildwood, large unruly crowds led officials to the closure of the boardwalk.
On Wednesday, State Republican lawmakers held a hearing with shore town public safety officials to discuss what they think needs to be done to improve safety. Some officials said they'd like to see the parents of some teenagers keep a closer eye on their kids, and others said they would like to see the Legislature come up with stiffer penalties for those who organize and promote pop-up parties.
"There's just been a lack of respect from young people towards law enforcement," said State Senator Mike Testa, who organized the hearing. "Our shore towns are safe. There's no doubt about it, and these were isolated incidents."
"95 percent of the time everything is just family-oriented, it's very nice," said Wagner.
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