Increased Police patrols on Lake Hopatcong

[Skunk City]

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2...incart_m-rpt-1

HOPATCONG — A series of raucous parties in Lake Hopatcong, some involving more than 400 boats clustered together in a small cove, has led State Police to pledge increased patrols of the area, according to a report on LakeHopatcongNews.com.

During a standing-room-only meeting of the Lake Hopatcong Commission on Monday, residents voiced their concerns about heavy drinking, drug use, loud music, foul language, lewd behavior, trespassing and littering in the lake. It's not just a quality of life issue, they said, it's become a public safety hazard because the weekly gatherings have been getting bigger as the weather warms up.

Beginning this weekend, a State Police boat will monitor Byram Cove and if the parties continue to grow, more troopers will be on the scene, according to the report.

The events are promoted via social media. The Byram Cove Party Twitter account has nearly 1,000 followers.

Hundreds of boats are roped together in Byram Cove to create "tie-up" parties, with revelers visiting different crafts to socialize.

Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo and State Police officials attended the Monday meeting at the Hopatcong Senior Center, according to the report.

Defenders of the Byram Cove Party also went to the meeting to speak out, declaring that their group includes people in their 30's and 40's who enjoy relaxing on the lake during the weekend. They acknowledged that there have been some "bad apples" but the majority of partygoers are respectful of the homeowners who live around the cove, according to the report.

Although some residents said that the situation warrants a task force, the commission opted not to take that step yet. Members said they hoped things would improve with the State Police watching over the cove.

[jimmythegreek]

Its a zoo out there this year, Ive never seen it like this before. There is also ALOT of drunks running around after hours, its been scary night fishing on the weekends, we all wanna go home safe. I hope they start busting some serious ballz on the lake

[AndyS]

9.9 hp limit if you ask me.

[birddog]

I would be happy with a 22' size limit! and some of the bass boats not thinking it is raceway park!

[Eskimo]

.



I'm sure the lake-house owners don't like it, but that's what happens when your backyard is a public lake. If they don't like it, they can move to one of NJ's many private lakes.



.

[Taxman]

I'm meetin' my buddies out on the lake
We're headed out to a special place we love
That just a few folks know

There's no signin' up, no monthly dues
Take your Johnson, your Mercury
Or your Evinrude an' fire it up
Meet us out at party cove

Come on in the water's fine
Just idle on over an' toss us a line

Bass-trackers, Bayliners and a party barge
Strung together like a floatin' trailer park
Anchored out and gettin' loud all summer long

Side by side, there's five houseboat front porches
Astroturf, lawn chairs and tiki torches
Regular Joes rockin' the boat, that's us
The Redneck Yacht Club

Bermuda's, flip-flops and a tank-top tan
He popped his first top at 10 a.m., that's Bob
He's our president

We're checkin' out the girls on the upper deck
Rubbin' in the 15 SPF, it's hot
Everybody's jumpin' in

Later on when the sun goes down
We'll pull out the jar and that old guitar
An' pass 'em around

Bass-trackers, Bayliners and a party barge
Strung together like a floatin' trailer park
Anchored out and gettin' loud all summer long

Side by side, there's five houseboat front porches
Astroturf, lawn chairs and tiki torches
Regular Joes rockin' the boat, that's us
The Redneck Yacht Club

When the party's over and we're all alone
We'll be makin' waves in a no-wake zone

Bass-trackers, Bayliners and a party barge
Strung together like a floatin' trailer park
Anchored out and gettin' loud all summer long

Side by side, there's five houseboat front porches
Astroturf, lawn chairs and tiki torches
Regular Joes rockin' the boat, that's us
The Redneck Yacht Club

Redneck Yacht Club
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na na, na na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na na, na na
The Redneck Yacht Club
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na na, na na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na na, na na
Na na, na na, na na, na na, na na, na na
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/craig-morg...CFhD5P2PJqF.99

[jimmythegreek]

there was talk years ago about a sticker system like they have on lake george and other lakes. No sticker no launch, no boat in the water. You either pay or use another lake elsewhere. It would cut down close to half the boat traffic on weekends. Problem with going elsewhere is you cannot muskie/striper/walleye fish on the same lake, nothing is like LH in NJ, its the best fishery in the state

[bunker dunker]

its been going on for years.its never gonna change

[RWole]

I have been going to Hopatcong fewer times over the
last few years just for the above reasons. I also see
fishing getting tougher and fewer hook ups. I would
fully support a 9.9.limit.

[saxmatt]

Are you guys serious about a 9.9 limit on a lake that big? I really hope you are joking.