Posted on 08/04/2020 7:43:07 PM PDT by lightman
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating whether a large mansion party in Alpine broke the governor’s limits on gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Saturday, hundreds of partygoers crammed together at a bash, mainly outdoors, at a home on Hemlock Drive from the early afternoon to about 10 p.m., said Alpine Mayor Paul H. Tomasko. He said he does not know the exact number of attendees, but said a majority were not wearing masks or social distancing.
He said the party was held by people renting the house with the knowledge of the owner.
“Most everyone should be aware of the need for masks and social distancing, neither of which were particularly in evidence,” he said. “Neighbors are bringing to our attention the fact that this is out of keeping with the way we should be acting to minimize the likelihood of becoming infected with COVID-19.”
The police were summoned to the home and the party continued “under their control,” Tomasko said. Several nearby agencies also responded.
A BCPO spokeswoman said an investigation into whether the party exceeded the state’s limits on gatherings is ongoing. According to NBC New York, a flyer advertised the party as “The Lavish Experience Pool Party” and people paid money to get in.
This weekend’s event was not the first held at the 12,000-square-foot home, Tomasko said. On June 5, he said, there was another gathering at the residence that drew hundreds and police notified the owner that his property was being misused.
One neighbor estimated there were at least 400 people at the residence on Saturday, with dozens of cars clogging the street, loud music blasting and people littering. An ambulance was called to the house later in the night, the neighbor said.
“I got a decibel reader on my phone because it is so loud,” the neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “It’s being run like a nightclub in a residential neighborhood. It’s pretty miserable. We can’t sit outside. It’s shocking it’s going on this long.”
Another neighbor said there have been multiple bashes at the house since May, and said party buses from New York drop off guests.
“I just think it’s the most selfish thing you can do right now,” said the neighbor, who also asked not to be identified. “I know people that have canceled wedding plans because of (the pandemic)... We can’t go about our normal lives but these people couldn’t care less about that. ... For them, it’s more important to make a buck. It’s the audacity to do something like this in the middle of a pandemic.”
The people listed as owners of the home could not be immediately reached for comment. According to property records, the house was sold in 2017 for $4.3 million.
Now, the borough is looking to change language in its local ordinance to prevent more house parties.
“We are actively pursuing what can be done, that goes even beyond the major concern at the moment, to limit and preferably end this kind of activity and clear abuse of our town’s zoning,” Tomasko said. “This party was held in a private residence and it clearly was not intended to be used in this manner as a party house. We’re looking at what we can do.”
At Monday’s daily press briefing, Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged the party.
“Based on the description, there was close congregation and not a lot of face covering, if any,” Murphy said. “If in fact people are busted and there was a promoted party, that’s not going to end well.”
The incident Saturday night came amid concern that young people turning to large private parties for socializing are causing more cases of coronavirus in New Jersey.
About 100 coronavirus cases also have been linked to a teen house party in Middletown and a separate gathering of Jersey Shore lifeguards on Long Beach Island.
In Jackson last weekend, three people were charged with violating the governor’s executive order after throwing a 700-person party at an Airbnb. No cases linked to that gathering have been reported as of Tuesday.
Unintended but hardly unexpected consequence of pandemic Prohibition.
NJ ping!
No shootings?
Pikers
Looks like the China Flu has about burned itself out in NJ =>
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa/new-jersey/
A very apt comparison!
400 people at the residence on Saturday, with dozens of cars clogging the street, loud music blasting and people littering.
If Phil Murphy would open up bars and restaurants and stop playing games, this wouldn’t happen.
Got the inspiration for “pandemic Prohibition” from this fine piece:
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/08/a_new_prohibition_is_silencing_the_deplorables.html
Sooo...what I’m hearing is that it’s really rich, connected folks that are holding massive, unprotected parties and they pass Rona around to one another? Is that right?
Maks are for chumps and suckahs.
-the mansion is owned by a trial attorney
-it is being rented by a music company
-party buses from NYC started arriving in the afternoon
-NOBODY was wearing masks nor saying 6' away from each other
-several people got wasted and the ambulance showed up for someone
Despite the massive crowd, all in all from the footage it actually looked like a relatively tame party. I've saw more carnage in college at fraternity parties.
Alpine went for Hillary but by less of a margin than the state as a whole. If it's any consolation, if people contract COVID19 they'll bring it back to NYC.
Apparently this house party rental is a thing now.
There was just that one in LA where a woman was killed. Same scenario...crowds , drugs, alcohol, loud music, exclusive nabe.
The LA one was hosted by gangstahs.
The poor neighbors!
Don’t any of the neighbors have a gas can and a Bic?
Not to mention they are crammed together.
“400 people at the residence on Saturday, with dozens of cars clogging the street, loud music blasting and people littering.”
There were plenty of high school parties like that back in the day.
Next time call it a pool protest.
“Bergen Lives Matter”
Interesting. From your link....
However, this isn’t the first promoted party at the luxurious home. Last month, an event called BikiniPalooza was held there. Neighbors say they’ve lived next to a party house all summer. This one asked us to conceal his identity.
“We’ve witnessed a night club being operated from the backyard of an Alpine house,” one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous told NBC New York. “I’ve been to Vegas a number of times and this is like a pool party that they throw there.”
Various agencies are now looking closely at the party promoters—one already advertising another party at the house this upcoming weekend.
The homeowner is listed as New Jersey personal injury lawyer Joseph LaBarbera. NBC New York reached him by phone and he said “no comment” before hanging up.
Addressing the investigation on Monday, Gov. Murphy said, “Based on the description, there was close congregation and not a lot of face covering, if any. If in fact people are busted and there was a promoted party, that’s not gonna end well.”
Murphy on Monday also announced he’s reducing the limit on indoor gatherings to 25% percent capacity, with a cap of 25 people down from 100. He said too many indoor house parties have led to trends creeping in the wrong direction.
And the caps have lead to the house parties. Get rid of the caps. Get rid of the house parties. Reducing to 25 when it was at 100 makes it worse.
When caps are outlawed...
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