'Boom Parties' Return, Plaguing Cinnaminson With Blaring Noise

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cover your ears, because the "boom party" noise that has plagued Cinnaminson and surrounding communities made a return last weekend.

Boom car parties — large, unsanctioned events where loud music gets blasted from vehicles with massive speakers — have tormented local residents for years. And since the parties are usually in Philadelphia, there are logistical hurdles for law enforcement to handle noise complaints from people in New Jersey's riverside communities.

The noisy gatherings typically occur when the weather warms up. Unfortunately for some residents in the Cinnaminson area, last weekend's pleasant weather was met with boom party blasts late Sunday night.

A Cinnaminson resident reported the noise to township police at 11:48 p.m. Sunday. The noise also spread to Palmyra, according to the borough's police department.

It was the first boom party complaint that the Cinnaminson Police Department received this year, according to Chief William J. Obuchowski.

How To Report Boom Parties

The parties tormenting Cinnaminson residents tend to pop up in Philadelphia's 15th police district, which is right across the Delaware River.

Although it's on Philadelphia police to take action, township residents are encouraged to contact Cinnaminson police when the noise creates a disturbance. Obuchowski encourages local residents to call 911 or the Cinnaminson police non-emergency number: 856-829-6666.

"When we receive a noise complaint, an officer will go to the caller's location to determine if a loud noise can be heard," Obuchowski told Patch. "The officer will then determine where the noise is coming from."

If it's a boom party blaring from Philadelphia, the officer will relay information to police in the city's 15th district.

"We will then be in constant communication with the Philadelphia police in an attempt to remedy the issue," Obuchowski said.

It's unclear whether Philadelphia police took action against anyone at the boom party last weekend. Patch contacted a spokesperson for the city's police department and will update as more information becomes available.

Challenges In Philadelphia

Philadelphia police have tried numerous approaches against boom parties. At one point, the department centralized its response to the events.

But since it wasn't effective in stopping the noise, the PPD put enforcement back in the hands of the respective policing districts last year. Adam Geer, Philadelphia's chief public safety director, said the decentralized approach "increase(s) the scope of enforcement."

Last year, Philadelphia police also began enforcing a "zero-tolerance" policy, issuing $2,000 fines and potentially seizing vehicles. Previously, most violators only faced fines of $100-300.

But Philadelphia's officer shortage has played an impact, forcing the department to "triage their response, with gun violence and other serious crimes sometimes taking priority over quality-of-life issues," New Jersey State Sen. Troy Singleton said last year after communicating with Philadelphia officials.

The city ended 2024 with 5,021 sworn officers — 500 fewer than the start of the year and 1,500 fewer than the department is budgeted to have, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.