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Serving South Jersey

Hutchison Bill Establishing Crime of Public Brawl Advances in the Assembly


Gloucester Township Press Conference on the GT Day Incident (July 2024) - Senator Moriarty, Assemblyman Hutchison, Assemblyman Miller, GT Mayor Mayer, GT Chief Harkins, GT Council, Monroe Township Chief Banos
Gloucester Township Press Conference on the GT Day Incident (July 2024) - Senator Moriarty, Assemblyman Hutchison, Assemblyman Miller, GT Mayor Mayer, GT Chief Harkins, GT Council, Monroe Township Chief Banos

(TRENTON) — In a move to protect New Jersey communities and residents, the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee today advanced Bill A4652, which would establish the offense of inciting a public brawl and increase the penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, comes in response to a public brawl that took place in Gloucester Township this past June. 


 “Though the dust has settled, and many may have already forgotten about the events that took place that night, our message remains clear: public safety is paramount, and reckless actions that endanger our communities will not be tolerated,” said Assemblyman Hutchison (D-Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic). “It is our sincere intention that this legislation will deter future incidents like the one we witnessed at a time that was meant to be a celebration of our community.”


Bill A4652 would establish the offense of inciting a public brawl and increase the penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances. An individual who organizes or encourages groups of four or more people to engage in disorderly conduct would be guilty of inciting a public brawl. The instigator of the brawl, which would be classified as a fourth degree crime, could be penalized with up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.


Assemblyman Hutchison introduced the legislation following an incident on June 1 during Gloucester Township Day. During the event, multiple fights broke out after hundreds of teens and young adults gathered for the day’s festivities. Despite crowd control efforts, several people had to be treated for minor injuries at the scene, including law enforcement officers.                     


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