LAKEWOOD, NJ – Multiple media outlets today, including the New York Post, ABC News, and Daily Voice have misreported a tragic incident in Lakewood Township on Monday.
An erroneous initial report by the Daily Voice sent an avalanche of misinformation and even New Jersey state gaming enforcement officials against the Pesach Chol Hamoed Carnival operated semi-annually by Lakewood resident Dr. Richard Roberts.
On Monday, at an unaffiliated carnival in another section of Lakewood, an inflatable ride blew over during a gust of wind, injuring several victims, including one seriously.
The Daily Voice initially reported the carnival as the Pesach Chol Hamoed Carnival held at the BlueClaws Stadium parking lot. That article was later corrected upon request by Roberts, but the damage had been done. Multiple other news agencies parroted the incorrect information causing an avalanche of stress and frustration for Roberts.
“The inflatable ride that broke loose was seen deflated and off to the side while other inflatable rides were still up and running inside the parking lot at the stadium where the Jersey Shore BlueClaws play their home games, according to footage from ABC 7’s chopper,” the New York Post reported.
At one point, an ABC News helicopter flew over the scene, but Roberts frustratingly laughed, “Did they not notice there wasn’t a stadium there while they were flying above the parking lot?”
“How do you report from a helicopter flying live above the scene and say you’re at a baseball stadium but didn’t notice there was no stadium below you?” Roberts asked.
The event hosted at the BlueClaws stadium did not even include any interactive rides. Instead, it was three stages, two under large tents with live entertainers, including a puppy dog show, a science show, storytelling, a petting zoo exhibit and trampoline acrobats.
“There were no inflatables or rides at our carnival,” he added. “There were 16,000 children and about 5,000 adults watching four different shows repeating throughout the day.”
He said the workers gave out 10,000 chocolate bars, 10,000 LED bicycle lights, and 10,000 snack bags. Over 500 pounds of sugar was used to make free cotton candy for the children.
Roberts said he even received a phone call from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs which said they intend to investigate the matter at BlueClaws Stadium.
Today, he received a follow-up text message from the department apologizing, noting they will be investigating the correct carnival sites in a parking lot on Summer Avenue in Lakewood, three miles away from BlueClaws Stadium (now renamed “Shore Town Ballpark”.
Roberts, who sponsors the free carnival twice-a-year that hosts thousands of families, said he had spent his time yesterday and today notifying news agencies about their incorrect reporting. If not slander, it’s probably a case of media malpractice.
Every six months, Roberts spends $140,000 to sponsor the free carnival, with the presence of the local police department the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and gives out thousands of dollars worth of free refreshments and snacks to families and children in Lakewood and the surrounding area who attend.
It is one of the most popular annual carnivals in Ocean County.
Visibly upset over the media misinformation concerning his event, Roberts said, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
Dr. Rich Roberts (left) with his mother, Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and Ocean County Commissioner Bobbi Jo Crea.