Police Enforcing Stay At Home Orders In South Jersey

Three South Jersey residents were charged this week with violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s order to stay at home during the outbreak of new coronavirus.

Two of the violators were from Camden and one was from Maple Shade. The following people were charged:

Dasia Syms, 31, of Camden, was charged on Sunday, April 5, after police officers discovered a large group of people leaving a home on Willow Walk. When police told the crowd to disperse and go home, Syms cursed at them and told them, “I do not have to go anywhere,” according to authorities. She then started coughing and saying she had coronavirus. More than five people were around when she started coughing, including the officers.

She was charged with fourth-degree causing or risking widespread injury, fourth-degree contempt, disorderly conduct, and failure to disperse (disorderly persons offense).

Dominic Affatoto, 35, of Maple Shade, was charged on April 1 by the Pennsauken Police with violating the emergency orders. Police found Affatoto fishing off of a boat ramp in a park that is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angel Martinez, 34, of Camden, was charged on Saturday, April 4, after police responded to a gathering on North 6th Street in Camden. Police served Martinez with a summons, but he ripped it up and threw it away, police said. He said he doesn’t care about getting a fine because he has money in the bank. He was charged with two violations of the emergency orders. The group dispersed.

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Violations of the emergency orders constitute a disorderly persons offense carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, violators can potentially face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The Attorney General’s Office and New Jersey State Police will continue to work with law enforcement throughout the state to crack down on non-compliance.

See related: Man Spit On Gloucester Township Cop, Said He Had Coronavirus: Authorities

Anyone who sees anyone who isn’t complying with the governor’s stay at home orders should call their local police department or report here https://covid19.nj.gov/violation

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know