Violent Threats Leave Gloucester Township Day's Future In Doubt

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Threats of armed violence played a major role in the decision to indefinitely postpone Gloucester Township Day, according to local officials. And the potential for a repeat or an escalation of last year's mayhem may lead to greater changes to the community tradition.

Gloucester Township Day — originally set for June 7 — was postponed until further notice because of credible threats of illegal and violent activity circulating on social media, officials said.

The township's largest annual gathering features a carnival-like atmosphere and raises money to scholarships for local high school seniors. Last year's event erupted into mayhem when hundreds of teens quickly poured in and brawled throughout Veterans Park and the surrounding area.

Recent comments on social media showed the possibility for even worse outcomes at this year's planned event, Police Chief David Harkins said Tuesday at a news conference.

One post has over 220,000 views — more than triple the township's population.

"It gives us no pleasure to come up with this," Harkins said of the decision to postpone. "However, it would be negligent to continue on and have this event and have this kind of violence re-occur."

On March 7, the township made a "save the date" post on its official social media channels about the upcoming Gloucester Township Day. The mayor's office informed Harkins about an "alarming" number of shares and comments on the township's Instagram post.

Further investigation showed that people unaffiliated with the township made posts about the upcoming event that went viral. Some of the comments raised concerns that Gloucester Township Day could once again become a target for mayhem, including a comment referencing an armed rioter at last year's event.

"We had indication and intelligence after last year's event that there were potentially people armed," Harkins said. "We know how violent they were and how lawless they were, and that was a real scare for us, knowing that this information was out there."

Three officers and several civilians sustained minor injuries from last year's mayhem, Harkins said. But no shots were fired.

As last year's violence escalated, roughly 200 police officers from the township and surrounding towns controlled the crowd. About 20 people — mostly juveniles — were arrested.

Despite the disappointment from residents about this year's postponement, Harkins says that no amount of security measures can prevent such chaos from unfolding. He noted that last year's mayhem also spilled into areas outside the park.

"We can secure the park. We can secure the area," Harkins said. "I cannot secure this entire region of Gloucester Township.

On social media, some people have suggested security measures such as deploying the township's armored rescue vehicle and staging cops in riot gear — actions that Harkins called "ridiculous" for a community gathering.

Unlike Gloucester Township Days past, the event planned for this year was already modified to end before nighttime — a response to last year's late-night fights.

Local officials and the Gloucester Township Day Scholarship Committee, which organizes the event, are now examining ways to restructure the annual gathering, says Mayor David Mayer.

"I said to (the scholarship committee) that we should look at this as an opportunity to raise even more donations that go directly to Gloucester Township high school seniors," Mayer said.

The scholarship committee raises money all year. But Gloucester Township Day generates the majority of the funds used to aid local students.

Gloucester Township Day raises money for students who will be seniors in the upcoming school year. So students who are about to graduate won't be affected, but the current junior class could face the impacts.

For current seniors, the scholarship committee generated $40,000 in scholarships that 40 students split evenly. About $30,000 came from Gloucester Township Day, according to Richard Hollingshead, the committee's assistant treasurer.

In the wake of Gloucester Township Day's uncertain future, Harkins asked the community to stand together.

"This decision is not a reflection of Gloucester Township's community spirit," Harkins said. "But it's a necessary step to ensure safety for all involved. So we ask for the community's support as we made these difficult but necessary measures to protect the community."

Watch the full news conference below: