Miller Bill to Train Law Enforcement for Crowd Management Clears Committee

(TRENTON) — Assemblyman Cody Miller announced that the Assembly Judiciary Committee today advanced A4653, a bill that he introduced following a brawl at last year’s Gloucester Township Day event. The legislation would help arm law enforcement with the training needed to maintain public safety in large gatherings.

During the event last June, 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.

“We cannot - must not - have a repeat of the type of situation that marred what was supposed to be a day of celebration,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic). “This legislation will ensure our law enforcement officers are prepared to meet these types of challenges, allowing our residents and their families to focus on enjoying their time out.”

The bill would require the Attorney General to establish a training program for crowd management and provide resources to local law enforcement for large gatherings, flash mobs, or pop-up parties. Additionally, the Attorney General would provide access to social media monitoring tools and mobile command units to local or municipal police departments that have participated in the training programs when such gatherings occur.