Asbury Park bans release of helium balloons

Asbury Park officials have passed an ordinance banning the release of helium balloons.
Both Mylar and latex balloons are included in the ban. They say that the ban is in place for environmental reasons. Balloons can often pose a risk to land and marine wildlife who can ingest them.
Environmentalists are applauding the move.
“[Balloons] can often be mistaken for food by birds and sea turtles,” says Helen Henderson with the American Littoral Society. “It’s a huge significance to help protect the wildlife.”
Anyone who intentionally releases a balloon could be fined up to $500. The ordinance goes into effect Oct. 16.