Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins testified before a state Senate committee on Feb. 13 in support of legislation that would address public safety and disturbances of the kind that marred the Gloucester Township Community Day event and drone show last June.
If approved, the measure would also enhance penalties for disorderly conduct in specific situations and require the New Jersey Attorney General to develop a crowd-management training program with guidelines for local law enforcement faced with unruly large gatherings, flash mobs or pop-up parties.
On the evening of Gloucester Township Day on June 1, a group of more than 500 youths and young adults were alleged to have incited multiple fights they organized through social media. The situation escalated rapidly, with township police and their Special Response Team and mutual aid from surrounding Camden County police departments.
Several officers were assaulted and injured, and arrests were made both on the night of the event and in the following weeks.
Harkins described a chaotic scene during his testimony before the senate’s Law and Public Safety Committee.
“I want to paint a picture of the mayhem we had to encounter that day,” he said. “It was June 1, 2024. The community of Gloucester Township had a great event – Gloucester Township Community Day – which has been held for over 40 years. The event features music, live entertainment, rides, food and vendors, and this year, we added a nighttime drone show. The proceeds go to the Gloucester Township Scholarship Committee to support high-school graduates.
“That evening, my officers began noticing something unusual: an influx of juveniles and young adults being dropped off on side streets near the event,” Harkins added.
He went on to describe youths and adults who congregated in large groups near the area where the event was held, eventually numbering 500 or more individuals who seemed to know each other. Fghts broke out at about 8:40 p.m., according to the chief. But he also emphasized the swift response of law enforcement.
“We responded quickly and immediately made two arrests, but the crowds became hostile toward event attendees,” he recounted. “We moved the groups across the street to separate them from families enjoying the event. However, fights continued to break out over the next two hours. Many of the juveniles were not from Gloucester Township and needed rides to leave the event.
“Several juveniles also reported being assaulted,” Harkins added. “While officers were dispersing the crowd, a 33-year-old man rode his bicycle through a group of officers, knocking one to the ground, and attempted to flee while in handcuffs.”
Harkins told the committee that the night ended with 11 arrests – two adults and nine juveniles – and the situation was declared under control just after 11 p.m.
The proposed public safety legislation would address similar incidents and reinforce the message that violent behavior will not be tolerated, Harkins noted. He concluded his testimony by urging lawmakers to support the proposed measure. A decision is expected in the coming months.
