Man’s Video Of Kids At Cedar Grove Park Wasn’t ‘Nefarious': Cops

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — A man got a stern warning after filming children playing soccer without permission at a Cedar Grove park on Monday evening, police said.

According to the Cedar Grove Police Department, the incident took place around 5:44 p.m. at Community Park while children were playing a game of soccer. An “alert parent” allegedly saw an unknown adult male filming the youth and suspected that he had no connection to the event. When the parent confronted the man, he abruptly left the park, police said.

Cedar Grove officers responded to the area soon afterward and located the man. The officers questioned him and reviewed the video in his possession, which on its face was not “nefarious,” according to Chief Joseph Cirasa.

It is, however, “unusual” to film children in such a setting without consent or an association to the event or the participants, Cirasa added.

The chief said that all checks turned out negative, the video was deleted and the videographer was “cautioned.” The matter will be followed up to the full extent possible, he said.

“I am grateful that the parent was alert and called police,” Cirasa said. “Do use caution when involved in matters such as this. Suspicious persons or activity should be reported immediately via 911. Do not delay.”

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File Photo: Cedar Grove Police Department