A New Jersey man has been charged by police after throwing a “corona party” with 47 people in his 550-square-foot apartment despite a statewide ban on social gatherings due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Wade E. Jackson, 54, was identified as the renter of the property. Ewing police issued one summons for violating an emergency act and another for obstructing the law, CBS News reported Monday.
Police were called to the apartment at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday morning following a noise complaint. Upon entry, police found 47 people having a party that included a DJ with speakers, alcohol, and the smell of marijuana, Community News reported.
Everyone except the tenant was released. The apartment was 550 square feet with one bedroom and one bathroom, and all of the guests were squeezed together inside, according to a statement by the Mercer County Prosecutor.
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reminded the public that “there are mandates, not suggestions. Mercer County and the entire state of New Jersey will not tolerate such irresponsible, criminal behavior, and violators will be prosecuted. Not only are these actions illegal, but in a time where such reckless conduct could endanger family, loved ones, first responders and the community at large, they are also unethical,” the statement reads.
Ewing Township Man Charged with Disorderly Persons Offenses After Throwing House Party pic.twitter.com/4Ov160NLDm
— Mercer Co Prosecutor (@MercerCoPros) March 28, 2020
Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has emphasized how serious the nature of the gathering restrictions are on Twitter follows the incident.
“Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people — including a DJ — crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be. This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart,” he tweeted Saturday.
He followed up with another tweet: “NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid.”
Last night, Ewing Township Police broke up a party with 47 people – including a DJ – crammed into a 550-square foot apartment. The organizer was charged, as they should have been and deserved to be.
This is not a game. Stay home. Be smart.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020
Can’t believe I have to say this at all, let alone for the second time. But here we are.
NO CORONA PARTIES. They’re illegal, dangerous, and stupid.
We will crash your party. You will pay a big fine. And we will name & shame you until EVERYONE gets this message into their heads.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 28, 2020