More Than Thirty Charged With Unlawful Social Gathering
On December 28, 2020, at about 2348 hours, Newark Police were called to an apartment in the unit block of Center Street for a report of loud music. Arriving officers could hear loud music from an apartment, which violated the City of Newark noise ordinance. Officers made contact with persons in the apartment and determined that there were over thirty people in the apartment.
Officers charged three residents of the apartment with allowing loud music to be played in violation of city ordinance. In addition, thirty-six people present at the apartment were charged with violating a city ordinance that prohibits more than ten people, who do not reside together, from gathering indoors at a private residence during the COVID-19 pandemic. All persons were issued summonses and released at the scene without incident.
As a reminder – The current State of Emergency Order by Governor Carney, and recent ordinances passed by Newark City Council in response to COVID-19, provide for the following regulations on gatherings at private residences in the City of Newark:
- No more than ten (10) people, who do not reside together, may gather indoors at a private residence.
- No more than twenty (20) people, who do not reside together, may gather outdoors at a private residence. This includes yards and porches/decks.
- Penalties range from fines to community service and anyone present, not just the persons who organized the gathering, may be cited under the law.
The Governor’s latest State of Emergency order includes an encouragement to stay-at-home until January 11th and not to gather with anyone outside of your household.
Additional information and resources can be found on our COVID-19 resource page.
