Police Blotter

Police blotter reports are generally written by the authoritative agency and only edited by Shore News Network for grammar and accuracy. If you have any questions regarding the information in these reports, please contact the issuing authority.

Brawls Shut Down Hamilton Mall

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP-On 06/2/2018, Township of Hamilton Police Officers were on directed patrol in the Hamilton Mall for a report of an advertised fight on social media between juveniles. Earlier in the day several small altercations occurred which were quickly handled and one juvenile female was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Later in the evening police received reports of large groups of juveniles and young adults congregating in several areas of the mall, with a large group being located in the food court area.

While attempting to escort multiple groups of juveniles out of the Hamilton Mall for disorderly conduct, chairs and other debris began to be thrown in the food court area. Additionally, multiple individuals began to engage in several fights.

https://www.facebook.com/100012389506460/videos/456627288093584/

Five juvenile males and two adult males were arrested as a result of the incident. The adult males (Amir Vaughn, 18, Mays Landing, NJ, & Theron Parrish- Jordan, 18, Mays Landing, NJ) were charged with disorderly conduct. Charges for the five juvenile males included disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. One Township of Hamilton Police Supervisor was assaulted which resulted in him sustaining a minor injury during the altercation. The supervisor was treated at AtlantiCare Hospital and released. Additional charges are pending further investigation.

Several agencies assisted and responded for the request of mutual aid. These agencies included the New Jersey State Police, Egg HarborTownship Police Department, Egg Harbor City Police Department, Galloway Twp. Police, the Twp. of Hamilton Rescue Squad, and AtlantiCare Paramedics.

The incident is currently under investigation and additional charges are pending for anyone identified as being involved in the incident. Anyone with information or who has video of the incident, please contact Det. Perna at 609-625-2700 x 542 or send us the video through Facebook messanger.

Speeding Mom, School Board Member to Cop: I’m a School Board Member

SOUTH ORANGE-Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad, a school board member is the latest public official in New Jersey to be caught on camera disrespecting police after a roadside traffic stop.

Photo of Lawson published by the The Village Green – of Maplewood and South Orange.

Lawson-Muhammad was caught speeding at 37 mph in a 25 mph residential zone.

“I’m Stephanie Lawson, I’m on the school board member and I’m a community member in this town, I’m sorry if I was speeding,” she said, opening the dialog between her and the responding police officer. After failing to provide current credentials to the officer she was issued a summons for speeding and not having a valid insurance card.

Lawson began crying to the officer explaining that her daughter is going to be late for her PARCC test at school.  The officer told Lawson he would try to be as quick as possible with the traffic stop.

South Orange Police Chief Kyle Kroll.

At one point Lawson appeared to be having an anxiety or panic attack, breaking down before being asked if she needed an ambulance by the officer.

“No, I don’t need an ambulance,” she snapped at the officer. “That’s an insult.”

At the end of her confrontational interaction with the respectful police officer, Lawson.

After being issued the ticket, she told the officer, “I’ll call Sheena [Sheena Collum, Village President] and your skinhead cop chief.”   Lawson was referring to Chief Kyle Kroll.

Civic Privilege?

In an article in the local online news website, Village Green,  Walter Fields of the Black Parents Workshop, BOE member Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad “attempted to exercise her civic privilege during a routine traffic stop.”