Bridgewater Officials, African American Local Leaders To Meet After Teen Mall Arrest

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench, Police Chief Paul Payne and local leaders in the African American community will be meeting together to discuss the Bridgewater Police's handling of a teen mall fight that has raised questions of racial disparity.

Reverend David Hobbs of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, located in the historic Hobbstown neighborhood of Bridgewater is hosting the private roundtable discussion. Participants will be invited by Hobbs.

"The Macedonia Baptist Church holds a vision of community that includes outreach, service and support," said Hobbs. "We welcome the opportunity to provide the space and a learning experience for residents, the administration, and our public safety officers."

Moench thanked Hobbs for helping to host this conversation.

"The Bridgewater we strive for is as diverse as it is unified, and that is something we can only achieve if all of our residents feel heard, respected and secure in our Township," said Moench.

"I have always been proud and supportive of our Police Department," said Moench. "But I firmly believe that support of the Department has to consist of more than empty platitudes. Support means that I will do everything I can to provide those officers with tools and resources they need to protect and serve all who live in and visit our town regardless of race, color or creed."

Payne also thanked Hobbs for setting up the roundtable.

"As Chief of Police, I strive to maintain and build trust and safety between the police department and the community we serve. This discussion is of critical importance, and I am eager to hear the concerns and ideas from our community together with Pastor Hobbs and Mayor Moench," said Payne.

Since Payne was sworn in as Chief of Police for Bridgewater Township in July 2020, it has been his mission along with the township administration to improve the relationship and better connect the police department with the community.

This included creating a Police Chaplain position, who is an unpaid volunteer and a member of the clergy, to help the police in a variety of ways including assisting in programs and plans for youthful offenders. Read More: Bridgewater To Create Police Chaplin Position

Bridgewater also teamed up with Somerset County in July to launched the Community Police Alliance program where a social worker works with township police to help residents who are struggling with mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence and more. Read More: Bridgewater, Somerset County To Help Struggling Residents

Building on this roundtable, the Township also intends to host a public forum to discuss the issues of policing and public safety after the Internal Affairs investigations of the incident are complete.

A video began circulating on Sunday showing the fight between a white teen and a Black teen at the Bridgewater Commons mall. The video also shows township police officers kneeling on and handcuffing the Black teen while the white teen is left sitting on a couch. Read More: Cops Criticized After Stopping Teen Fight At Bridgewater Mall

Since then Murphy has said he was "deeply disturbed" by the video and the New Jersey chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, is now calling for the Bridgewater officers involved to be immediately removed from the police force pending an investigation.

The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office is helping Bridgewater with the investigation as they strictly adhere to the New Jersey Attorney General's Internal Affairs Directive. The SCPO has 45 days to complete the investigation. Read More: Murphy 'Disturbed' By Bridgewater Cops' Handling Of Mall Fight

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