Gloucester Twp. Cops Warn Against Violating Stay At Home Orders

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township police are reminding the public to follow Gov. Phil Murphy’s orders to stay at home after responding to a house party over the weekend. Police responded to the house, where a number of people were playing cards.

“They were warned of the executive order and dispersed,” police said. “Future violations will not be tolerated. Please use good judgment to help care for the health and safety of our community.”

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They reminded residents that police are always there for the community, but they also asked residents not to put first responders in situations that can easily be avoided.

Police have been put in a number of these situations recently. Notably, there were situations in which man spit on a Gloucester Township police officer and claimed to have coronavirus and a man attacked police officers responding to a domestic incident.

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“Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in announcing enforcement actions statewide this week. “Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work. Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators.”

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.

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