Walk through the municipal parking garage in downtown Toms River on a Tuesday afternoon, and things might look pretty normal. You’ve got people heading to the Ocean County Library or folks just trying to find a spot before paying their taxes at town hall. But look a little closer at the corners, and you'll see why this concrete structure became the center of a massive legal and moral fight in Ocean County.
Basically, the town just isn't having it anymore.
The Toms River homeless parking garage ban is a reality now, and it’s a pretty harsh one depending on who you ask. If you're caught "camping" or even just storing your bags near the library-side elevator, you aren't just getting a polite tap on the shoulder. You’re looking at a 24-hour warning followed by potential jail time or a massive $2,000 fine.
The Ordinance That Changed Everything
Honestly, the whole thing felt like it happened overnight, though the tension had been simmering for months. In July 2024, the Toms River Township Council pushed through a new ordinance that specifically targets the municipal parking garage, along with Wilsey Way and Horner Street. They didn't just ban sleeping; they banned the "storage of personal property."
We’re talking about:
✨ Don't miss: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
- Beds and cots
- Sleeping bags
- Food supplies
- Shopping bags
- Even just basic clothing racks
Mayor Dan Rodrick hasn't been shy about why he wanted this. He’s gone on record citing drug overdoses, car thefts, and fights happening right there in the garage. For him, it’s a safety issue. He’s mentioned that moms taking their kids to the library shouldn’t have to walk past groups of "drug addicted and mentally ill" people. It’s a tough stance, and it’s earned him plenty of both fans and enemies.
The council vote was a 4-2 split. Councilmen James Quinlisk and Thomas Nivison were the ones who said "wait a second." They argued that fining people who have zero dollars in their pocket is kind of a circular logic that just doesn’t work. Plus, sending the police to "process" someone who’s broke costs the taxpayers even more money.
Heat Waves and Dumpsters
The most dramatic part of this whole saga happened during a brutal heat wave in June. While the thermometer was hitting 100 degrees, the town sent in public works crews to clear out belongings. I'm sure you've seen the photos on social media—shopping carts and bags being tossed into dumpsters.
It was a mess.
🔗 Read more: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
Advocates like Paul Hulse from Just Believe Inc. and the folks at Christ Episcopal Church were trying to bring in water and ice, but the town's administration was adamant. They saw the garage as becoming a "homeless campus" and wanted to nip it in the bud. Rodrick even accused nonprofits of using the homeless as "political pawns" to force the county to build a permanent shelter.
The Bigger Problem: No Place to Go
Here’s the thing that most people outside of Ocean County don’t realize: there is no permanent homeless shelter here. Like, none. Ocean is one of the only counties in New Jersey that doesn’t have a year-round facility.
When the Toms River homeless parking garage ban went into effect, it didn't just move people; it squeezed them. Christ Episcopal Church tried to step up. They proposed a 17-bed overnight shelter on their 11-acre property. It seemed like a win-win, right?
Not exactly.
💡 You might also like: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
The zoning board shot it down after months of hearings. Neighbors were worried about property values—some claimed their homes would drop 20% in value—and others were scared about people "wandering the woods" after the 7 a.m. checkout time. The town even threatened to seize the church’s land through eminent domain to build a park and a "tiki bar." You can’t make this stuff up.
What This Means for You
If you’re a resident or a visitor, the garage is definitely "cleaner" now. The police have the "tools" they say they need to keep people moving. But for the 400+ people estimated to be unhoused in Toms River, life just got a lot more dangerous.
Practical Realities of the Ban:
- Strict Enforcement: Don't expect a lot of leniency. The 24-hour warning is the standard, and then the cuffs come out.
- Legal Costs: If you’re an advocate or a nonprofit, be careful. The ordinance suggests that organizations assisting in "unauthorized" storage could also face heat.
- Alternative Spots: With the garage off-limits, people are moving further into the woods or into South Toms River, where enforcement is sometimes different.
The reality is that a parking garage isn't a home. No one actually wants to live next to a pay station in a concrete box. But until the county and the town can agree on where a shelter actually belongs, the "game of musical chairs" continues.
If you want to help or get involved, your best bet isn't the parking garage anymore. Reach out to the Housing and Homeless Coalition or Just Believe Inc. They are the ones navigating the motel voucher system, which is basically the only thing left now that the garage is a no-go zone. Keep an eye on the council meetings too—this isn't the last ordinance we're going to see regarding the downtown area.
Check with local legal aid if you're helping someone who's been hit with one of those $2,000 fines; there are groups looking to challenge the constitutionality of these fines given the lack of shelter alternatives.
The garage is empty, but the problem is still very much here.