People hoping to get on Long Branch beaches that were shut down due to crowding have resorted to purchasing badges from people headed home for the day, according to witnesses.

The badges are being sold at cost $7 by beachgoers as they depart, people in Long Branch told NJ Advance Media.

On Friday, officials said to expect beaches to close earlier and more frequently to allow visitors space to social distance. Then on Saturday, the city began charging to get on the beach at Plaza Court, Pullman Avenue, Park Avenue and Takanassee, which had been closed previously.

A few miles south, daily beach badge sales in Belmar were also suspended around 1 p.m. due to big crowds. Belmar officials previously said theyd limit daily sales to 7,500 per day.

Long Branch police couldnt immediately be reached.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Long Branch beach badges being resold by people leaving as access closed due to overcrowding - NJ.com