Man charged after New Jersey police break up alleged ‘Corona Party’ with 47 people
Law enforcement in Ewing Township, N.J., reportedly broke up a party Friday night with 47 people in a small apartment, despite recommendations from health officials amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The department confirmed it received an anonymous call about the alleged party Friday evening. Officers immediately dispersed the gathering that “the renter of the apartment called a ‘Corona Party,'” according to a Saturday statement.
The apartment renter, Wade Jackson, 47, was issued summonses for allegedly obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function and violating emergency and temporary acts, according to the statement.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) released an executive order earlier this month banning “gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events.”
Murphy tweeted Saturday, “Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are. NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid. We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads.”
Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are.
NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid.
We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be.
This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
New Jersey reported 2,289 new coronavirus cases Saturday, with a total of 11,124 in the state. At least 140 people have died in New Jersey from the virus, Murphy told reporters Saturday.
“One hundred forty invaluable, precious, unexpendable souls who are no longer with us in the Garden State because of this virus,” he said.
Two Lakewood, N.J., residents were charged earlier this week after police broke up a gathering of 25 people at a school, NJ.com reported.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
