Release according to the Gloucester Township Police Department.
On Saturday, August 7, 2021, the Gloucester Township Police Department responded to two large parties which were reported to be loud and out of control, both in residential neighborhoods.
Incident #1
Officers responded to 9 Laurel Wood Court, Clementon at 6:38 p.m., and found a large party with people in the street causing a disturbance, loud music, and partygoer’s cars parked throughout this typically quiet neighborhood, and at a nearby shopping center.
Officers spoke with a security guard who was hired for the event who claimed that it was a graduation party. While monitoring the party, officers estimated that there were 200 to 250 attendees. Officers were additionally advised by attendees that they were charged a $20 to $50 admission fee to enter.
An investigation was conducted and additional complaints were received from residents on nearby Downs Avenue that numerous subjects were trespassing and cutting through their properties. Officers shut down the party and the resident was charged with Maintaining a Nuisance (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-12). In addition, officers conducted parking and traffic enforcement due to several vehicles blocking resident’s driveways, parking within intersections, and parking within stop signs.
The resident was charged with Maintaining a Nuisance, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-12B, a disorderly persons offense.
Incident #2
At 10:42 p.m., Officers responded to another large party 9 Gable Court, Sicklerville, and found numerous vehicles leaving the scene, a large crowd of people in the street causing a disturbance, and loud music playing.
The first arriving officers ordered the crowd to disperse, and arrested a 17 year old male for disorderly conduct (2C:33-2), and obstructing administration of (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1), as he was attempting to instigate a fight and refused to comply with the office’s commands. A crowd of partygoers began to surround the officer, causing him to call for emergency assistance.
The Gloucester Township Police Watch Commander ordered all available officers to the scene, and requested mutual aid from surrounding police departments. The officers dispersed the crowd, and brought the situation under control. It was determined that the crowd came from a large advertised “for profit” party at 9 Gable Court.
The homeowner was charged with Maintaining a Nuisance (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-12). The arrested juvenile was charged with disorderly conduct (2C:33-2), and obstructing administration of (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1), both disorderly persons offenses and released to his parent.
Both of these incidents put a strain on the resources of the Gloucester Township Police Department, causing most available officers on duty, and in neighboring towns, to respond to bring them under control. These out of control, “for profit” parties are occurring in residential neighborhoods that are not designed to handle this type of party events. Both residences were referred to the Gloucester Township Code Enforcement and Zoning Offices for violations. Both parties left litter and broken glass to be left in the streets of these neighborhoods, and clean up by the Public Works Department was requested.
The Gloucester Township Police Department will use all available resources to maintain the peace in our community, including noise metering, traffic and parking enforcement citations, local ordinance violations, and criminally charging the homeowner with maintaining a nuisance. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with having family and friends over for a party. That is not what we encountered this day. Residents are strongly encouraged to not use their homes and backyard pools as a way of making money. These parties often go viral and attract partygoers from across the region, whose intention is to get intoxicated and cause havoc for the neighbors and for the responding police officers.
Chief Harkins stated, “We will not tolerate these types of wild money making parties in our neighborhoods. We will use all enforcement tools at our disposal to maintain the peace in our community. I strongly encourage homeowners to avoid these types of parties, the fines and ill will brought on to your neighbors is not worth it.”
