Location: Veterans Park, 1261 Chews Landing Road, Gloucester Township, NJ
As families were enjoying and awaiting the drone light show at the annual Gloucester Township Day event, Officers working security at the event began to notice an influx of juveniles and young adults being dropped off at the event. Crowds of young people began congregating in large groups in the area of the basketball courts. This crowd of juveniles and young adults were estimated to be approximately 500+ people.
At approximately 8:40 pm large groups began fighting each other and running recklessly through the crowd. Officers quickly responded and made two arrests for disorderly conduct. This crowd continued to remain hostile and disorderly. The Incident Commander called in additional Gloucester Township Police Officers for support, and requested mutual aid from surrounding Camden County police agencies. Due to the volatility of the situation, the drone light show was started early.
Immediately upon conclusion of the drone light show, officers began dispersing the crowd off of the field. Large crowds moved to the Marketplace shopping center located at 1200 Chews Landing Road. Again, multiple fights broke out amongst the juveniles and young adults. Additional requests for mutual aid was made via the Camden County Association of Chiefs of Police mutual aid coordinator. In addition, a countywide EMS Task Force was requested to bring additional EMS resources to the scene. The Gloucester Township Police Special Response Team also responded to provide support.
Fights continued to break out over the course of the next two hours across the parking lot of the shopping center. It was determined that most of the groups of juveniles were not from Gloucester Township, and had been dropped off and needed rides. Many of the instigators and those fighting were wearing black clothing, covering their faces with hoodies, and wearing medical style face masks.
Several juveniles also reported being assaulted, and at least 2 reported minor injuries. Both were treated at the scene and released to a parent or guardian.
While a group of Officers were dispersing a crowd, a 33-year-old man from Camden, NJ rode his bicycle at high speed into a group of officers, striking a Gloucester Township Police Officer in the back, knocking him to the ground. The suspect was immediately arrested for assaulting the officer, and was also charged with attempted escape, as he tried to slip out of his handcuffs while being transported to police headquarters for processing. The officer suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Another Gloucester Township Police Officer and a Clementon Borough Police Officer also suffered from minor injuries as they attempted to break up one of the many fights that broke out.
A total of 11 people were arrested, 2 adults males and 9 juveniles.
It should be noted that 68 Gloucester Township Police Officers were assigned to or responded to the “Gloucester Township Day” event, and at least 30 mutual aid Police Officers from Camden County and Deptford Township (Gloucester County) responded as per the mutual aid plan. The incident was declared under control at approximately 11:04 PM.
While this incident is still under investigation, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins stated, “the officers who responded and showed great restraint when dealing with violent and agitating groups. The mutual aid received by the surrounding departments was unprecedented in Gloucester Township. I was proud to serve with all of these officers who put their safety on the line to bring this difficult situation under control. I am thankful that more injuries were not sustained to officers, the families attending the event, and even those involved in this disorderly conduct. The lawless of groups of unsupervised juveniles and young people acting with total disregard for others, ruined a great family-oriented event which has taken place to raise funds for the Gloucester Township Scholarship Committee for over 40 years. This type of lawlessness and violent riotous behavior will not be tolerated, and will not define the great community of Gloucester Township.”
The following arrests were made during this incident:
Adults:
Ronald Jones: d.o.b.: 2-22-91 of Camden, NJ Aggravated Assault on LEO (3rd Degree) Escape (3rd Degree) Disorderly Conduct (DP Offense) Remanded to Camden County Jail
Kevin Coleman: d.o.b.: 1-19-06 of 320 W. Branch Ave., Pine Hill, NJ Disorderly Conduct (DP Offense) Released
Juveniles: all charged with Disorderly Conduct (DP Offense) and released to a parent/guardian
Female - age - 15 of Winslow Township, NJ
Male - age 16 - of Cherry Hill, NJ
Female - age 15 - of Pine Hill, NJ
Male - age 16 - of Camden, NJ
Male - age 17 - of Camden, NJ
Male - age 17 - of Gloucester Township, NJ
Male - age 13 - of Winslow Township, NJ
Male - age 16 - of Winslow Township, NJ
Male - age 15 - of Camden, NJ
Male - age 15 - of Laurel Springs, NJ
Date of Media Release: 6-2-2024
Police Case: 2024-26580
Media Release By: Chief David Harkins #122
https://gtpolice.com/news/article/1515
