Manchester Police issue citations for trespassing at Crystal Lake

It's been a property notorious for trouble or tragedy.

The Heritage Minerals Property in Manchester, a.k.a. Crystal Lake, a.k.a. ASARCO (American Smelting and Refining Company), Inc. which connects the eastern part of town from Route 37 to Route 70 spreading across 7,000 acres of land, according to MTPD.

In an effort to prevent any further crime or tragedy, Manchester Police have been cracking down on people trespassing on the property.

Listen to Vin Ebenau mornings on Townsquare Media Jersey Shore Radio Stations, email him news tips here, and download our free app.

The recent crackdown traces back to August 21, which police said was in part to a recent drowning incident earlier in August and also because Labor Day weekend is approaching.

So police and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department conducted a specialized detail to enforce trespassing laws at the Heritage Minerals property, which they again emphasized is "PRIVATELY OWNED" meaning it's a criminal act to head on there without permission and on their detail, several criminal and traffic summonses were issued to trespassers found on this parcel of land.

There are even clearly marked 'No Trespassing' signs on the property.

ASARCO was the original land owner, then they sold it to Heritage Minerals who ran it until "the cessation of mining operations in the early 1980’s."

Manchester Police have issued a full statement that includes the history of the land and all the reasons you should stay off said land.

"During its years of operation, the land was mined so deeply that numerous bodies of water often referred to as ‘lakes’ formed.

These ‘lakes’ which are actually groundwater aquifers, litter the landscape on the site.

Seemingly unassuming, these bodies of water offer many dangers.

Because the lakes were formed as a result of mining operations, they do not have stable bottoms or shore lines the way naturally occurring lakes do.

The banks are very unpredictable and dangerously unstable.

Those entering the water will quickly realize that after taking a few steps in the soft, unstable sand that the shoreline ‘shelf’ quickly drops off to depths that exceed 60 feet.

Some estimates have the largest ‘lake’ on the property as being up to 300 feet deep.

Making matters worse, a recent lack of rain has exposed a greater area of the shoreline shelf putting those near the water perilously close to the steep drop off.

There have been several fatal drownings at the “lakes” in recent years.

Furthermore, unsuspecting vehicle operators and other individuals, including bathers, and families with small children are faced with a higher risk of danger in this exposed area because of its potential to collapse without warning.

Under no circumstance should anyone walk or drive on this exposed shelf or approach or enter these waters."