When police in New Jersey learned that a homeowner in Gloucester Township was planning to host a large pool party where attendees would be paid admission, they said they were warning him of “potential violations.”
The party Sunday in Sicklerville, about 20 miles from Philadelphia, went on and the homeowner and event promoter were charged, Gloucester Township police said Monday. It’s at least the third major party to close in New Jersey in the last week, where guests pay entrance fees.
Lt. Jason Gittens said Wednesday that police learned via social media that the homeowner, Jeffrey Davis Jr., would be a “for-profit pool party.”
Officials had contact with Davis last Thursday and warned him of possible violations of state order against large social gatherings and local ordinances for having a party during the COVID-19 pandemic, police said.
From 4pm to 9pm, officers inspected the detached house on 12 Prospect Court and observed about 250 people inside and outside the property at the pool party, police said. Participants were paid a $ 35 admission fee and were observed without wearing masks or exercising social distance, the police lieutenant said. The state limits outdoor meetings to 500 people, and social distance must be practiced.
Loud music was also played in violation of the township’s noise regulations, according to police, who said eight cars were ticketed for parking violations.
“Officers asked the homeowner to close the party, and when attendees walked out, large crowds lined the street with trash,” police said in a news release.
Davis, 31, and a man identified by police as the party promoter, Marheem Miller, 28, of Camden, were charged with three counts of violating the governor’s executive orders. Davis was also given a call for literature and will be charged with violating the local zoning plan. Davis and Miller could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.
Separately, police broke into police in Howell Township, about 65 miles northeast of Philadelphia, what they described Sunday as a “pop-up party” attended by 300 people. Most of those present were satisfied, police said, adding that others were angry at the host who took permission.
On July 26, a homeowner and two party organizers were accused of violating the governor’s executive order that limits the size of meetings, after police in Jackson broke through nearly five hours to close the event that left more than 700 people lured to an Airbnb rental, police said.
Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy the number of people allowed to gather inside to 25 percent of the capacity of a room with a maximum of 25 people – below the previous limit of 100 people – according to reports of large house parties and indoor events .
“Unfortunately, the actions of a few knuckleheads leave us with no other course,” Murphy said. “We need to go back and tighten these restrictions.”
