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The intent may have been for a little holiday fun and cheer while collecting nonperishable food and unwrapped toys for those most in need but it went horribly wrong for downtown residents and at least three business owners who opted to shutter their doors early Saturday night as Santacon participants populated the area.

Aside from noise complaints, there were tales on local public media posts of public urination, spitting and general tomfoolery.

“Who can I thank and hold responsible for having to close early on a Saturday in December because drunk Santas were banging on our windows, spitting, screaming, fighting and being downright nasty,” Parlor Gallery owner Jenn Hampton said. “I am so sad and disheartened for all the businesses that had to close early…”

A Cookman Avenue book store owner said she closed after witnessing a Santacon participant urinating in the planter at her front door as patrons were attempting to enter the store. A home design shop owner said she also closed her Bangs Avenue store once she heard the commotion.

Acting Asbury Park Police Chief Anthony Salerno said the police department received 11 calls for service all day Saturday.

“As busy nights go in the downtown area, it was a typical weekend,” Salerno said. “There were two arrests for disorderly conduct but there were no major incidents. For the type of crowd it was unremarkable.”

Salerno said patrols in the downtown corridor were increased by close to three times its normal amount.

“I don’t want to minimize the situation or the seriousness of the matter but there was no rise in calls from business owner or residents in the business district,” Salerno said. “We did increase the number of law enforcement to handle the additional volume of anticipated intoxicated-type issues for a busy night.”

Event organizer Glen Ferrara of Belmar said an estimated 1,000 people participated in this year’s event.

“I was there all night [until 11:30 p.m.],” Ferrara said. “It seemed like regular business to me. I didn’t see anyone fighting.”

Ferrara said all participants were told via social media posts to follow the NJSantacon.com guidelines regarding rules of behavior.

Ferrara said the Santacon bar crawl included visits to Johnny Mac House of Spirits, Asbury Ale House, Asbury Festhalle and Beirgarten, Bond Street Bar, Brickwall Tavern and Porta.

“These are grownups and it’s not my job to control grownups,” Ferrara said. “The same people that cause trouble in Santa suit are probably the same people who cause trouble outside of a Santa suit.”

Ferrara said the benefit event garnered bags of unwrapped toys and its food collection filled a 12-foot trailer.

As for the complaints, Ferrara said, “It’s a shame and I feel bad but nothing was damaged.”

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