– Unruly juveniles spark violent fights at community event in South Jersey
– South Jersey community event disrupted by unruly youth engaging in violent behavior.
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Gloucester Township, N.J. – Another family-friendly event turned chaotic over the weekend as police were forced to intervene in multiple fights instigated by crowds of juveniles as young as 13 years old.
According to authorities, the trouble began when a large number of juveniles were dropped off at Veterans Park to attend the Gloucester Township Day’s drone light show on Saturday evening. The crowd quickly swelled to over 500 young attendees, leading to a volatile situation.
Police were forced to make two arrests as fights broke out among the groups, causing disruption and panic among those present. The situation escalated to the point where the drone show had to start early due to concerns over the safety of the attendees.
After the show concluded, the chaos continued as multiple fights erupted, with some attendees reportedly running recklessly through the area. Several juveniles were reportedly assaulted, with at least two requiring treatment for minor injuries at the scene.
Police Intervention and Arrests
As the fights persisted, law enforcement officers intervened to disperse the crowds, leading to further skirmishes. Three officers sustained injuries while attempting to break up the fights, with one officer being knocked to the ground by a 33-year-old man riding a bike into a group of officers.
The 33-year-old man was arrested for assaulting the officer and also charged with attempted escape after trying to evade custody. In total, 11 individuals were arrested, including two adult males identified as Ronald Jones and Kevin Coleman, along with nine juveniles aged between 13 and 17.
Community Response
Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins expressed disappointment over the incident, stating that the unruly behaviour of the unsupervised juveniles had marred a longstanding family-oriented event aimed at raising funds for the Gloucester Township Scholarship Committee.
Chief Harkins emphasised that such lawless and violent behaviour would not be tolerated in the community, and praised the swift response of law enforcement officers in bringing the situation under control.
Continued Challenges
This incident comes on the heels of similar disturbances at the Jersey Shore, where unruly crowds of juveniles caused chaos over the Memorial Day weekend. The situation in Gloucester Township serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing large gatherings of young people.
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– Unruly juveniles spark violent fights at community event in South Jersey
– Juveniles cause violent incidents at South Jersey community event.
