SEASIDE HEIGHTS Recently, state, county, and local officials joined forces with law enforcement agents to search the borough’s boardwalk for fraudulent activity.
Together with Acting Director Elizabeth M. Harris of the State Division of Consumer Affairs and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin of New Jersey, Ocean County authorities participated in the launch of the annual Safe Summer compliance effort.
The campaign inspects boardwalk attractions and establishments throughout the summer to create a family-friendly, safe environment along the Jersey Shore.
While employees of the State Office of Weights and Measures and the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission made sure that the game was fair and that the scales were accurate, Consumer Affairs investigators looked for appropriate pricing and disclosures of return policies.
Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd, Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz, Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Ocean County Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman, and employees from each participating agency joined Attorney General Platkin.
In order to raise consumer knowledge of ways to avoid falling prey to fraud, educational materials were disseminated.
The following are some consumer safety guidelines for amusement games:
1) Prices and rules must be displayed clearly.
2) The operator may charge up to $20.
3) The operator promptly returns the change.
4) The requirements for winning must be shown in the prizes.
The cost to play the games and company licenses should be clearly indicated, customers were advised.
During the afternoon inspection of the boardwalk games of chance, Platkin played one of the crane games at the Coin Castle Arcade. When kids play the games, we want to make sure that they obey the rules and have an equal opportunity.
This year’s surprise inspections, which the Division of Consumer Affairs performs before to the start of the summer, have been delayed due to inclement weather. Before the weekend before Independence Day, state detectives planned to make their appearance.
One of the state inspectors examining a balloon game with reward tags was Consumer Affairs Inspector Joe Chessere. According to Chessere, the operator grabs the tag and gives it to the players so they can know exactly what the prize is when they pop a balloon at that station.
To ensure that customers buying a pound of fudge at a boardwalk sweet shop received precisely that amount of fudge, weights and measurements were also verified.
Owners of businesses were delighted to demonstrate the legitimacy of their operations. Here are some pointers for patrons who want to play entertaining games. Businesses in the shore region are hoping to turn a profit this summer after suffering through many inclement weather weekends.
In the event that someone is detected cheating, they may be fined between $250 and $500.
