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.
Welcome to Stalag 13 with Murphy in the role of Col Klink
somewhere, in a town near you, are liberals all in a raging tither over someone somewhere having fun
I’m awake and tired of the crap.
Just tell them it was an in-pool protest/riot.
from the comments
i am hearing some disturbing things...
johnheretohelp
july 21 2020
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1285607581315215363.html
#21. Murphy is more like the SS Commandant in “Stalag 13”.
Cicillione and Murphy/Murray the congresspeople are more like the Gestapo.
That was an excellent article, and I hope everybody on this thread reads it. The whole point of prohibiting alcohol and closing bars and eating places is to prevent people from assembling and talking to each other in places where they might possibly be objecting to the government. Historically, bars and cafes were places of political discussion and meeting; even the Prohibitionist Karens of years ago mentioned that one of their objectives was to shut bars down as gathering places for people they considered political riff-raff.
The author goes on to point out that these shut-down orders of public dining in general affecting things such as the cafe at McDonalds or Target have the same purpose. The latter are favorite meeting spots for coffee klatches of older men - and even a men’s Bible study group! -in my town.
Mask wearing also has the purpose of preventing “subversive” communication and keeping opposition silent and fragmented.
“Oh no, Mr. Bill!”
Hmmmm, interesting party. After seeing the video, I bet I know why it wasn’t raided.
Meanwhile, church services are still banned.
Party continued “under their control”...
Why do I think a look at who ordered what and why for that party would be really interesting.
Murphy is punishing anyone who disobeys his orders ... just like Nancy Pelosi’s Nephew is doing to Californians ... the behavior of tyrants.
Note to clergy in NJ: That party was allowed to continue. Why aren’t you in court?!
Paging Tucker Carlson...
Keep Phil Murphy busy chasing underage drinking parties.
That’s the ticket!
Saw drone footage of that party on the news yesterday. The factor-which-must-not-be-mentioned was not mentioned, but quite visible.
BTTT.
Amish?
Amish?
No, not a horse-drawn buggy, full beard or wide-brimmed hat in sight!
0.084 ratio of deaths to infections, even accounting for the inflated attribution of deaths by politically motivated liars.
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