A Jackson Township resident is alleging he was racially profiled, forcibly arrested and hospitalized following a traffic stop that began after officers said his behavior appeared suspicious near the Jackson Mews apartment complex.
Jackson Township, N.J. – A Jackson Township resident, a DJ who goes by the stage name ViBin Mall, is accusing members of the Jackson Township Police Department of racial profiling and excessive force after a traffic stop near the Jackson Mews apartment complex escalated into an arrest and hospital visit.
“We came by, you’re wearing a sweatshirt in 80-degree weather, you got the handicap placard up. There’s people that complain in the Mews about people parking in handicap spots,” the officer said.
The incident which was captured on video by the father who lives in the Jackson Mewes complex, has generated debate on social media regarding the officers’ stated reasons for the stop and the events that followed.
Key Points
• A Jackson Township man claims police targeted him because he is Black.
• Officers cited suspicious behavior and an expired inspection sticker during the stop.
• The man alleges he was injured during the arrest and later transported to a hospital.
According to the victim, he had been sitting in his vehicle inside the Jackson Mews complex while speaking on the phone before leaving to go grocery shopping. He claims a Jackson police patrol vehicle drove past him, later positioned itself near the entrance to the complex and then followed him for several miles before initiating a traffic stop.
After explaining his situation to police, he was later arrested for obstruction after refusing to exit his vehicle and repeatedly requesting a supervisor.
“When we get back to the police station, I’m finally given a supervisor, after asking for a medic,” the man wrote in a social media post describing the encounter. “I tell the supervisor exactly what happened, and ask him what about my outfit makes me suspicious of committing a crime? He says nothing.”
Officer explains reason for stop
Video recorded by the driver captured an officer explaining why police initially became interested in him.
“When we drove by in the Mews, we just saw you. I was a little concerned. It looked like you were reaching down, just like hiding your face,” the officer said.
The officer also referenced the driver’s clothing and a handicap placard displayed in the vehicle.
“We came by, you’re wearing a sweatshirt in 80-degree weather, you got the handicap placard up. There’s people that complain in the Mews about people parking in handicap spots,” the officer said.
The driver challenged the explanation and repeatedly questioned why he had been stopped.
“So you’re trying to say I look suspicious walking out of my own apartment? Why? Because I’m Black?” the driver responded.
Dispute escalates over request for supervisor
Throughout the encounter, the driver repeatedly requested a supervisor and declined officers’ commands to exit the vehicle.
“Call your supervisor right now,” the driver said multiple times during the stop.
Officers advised the driver that failure to comply could result in an obstruction charge, escalating the situation.
“Step out of the car, you’re going to get locked up for obstruction,” one officer warned.
At another point in the recording, officers referenced an expired inspection sticker as a traffic violation, seemingly looking for reasons to justify the stop after it happened.
“Oh, when did it expire? Last month?” the driver asked.
“Two months ago actually,” an officer replied.
Driver claims injuries during arrest
The video ended, claiming officers forcibly removed him from the vehicle and aggravated a prior spinal injury.
“When my phone stops recording, they are slamming me up against my car, twisting my arms and crushing my back, that has screws and rods from a spinal fusion just 2 years ago,” he wrote.
The man said he was transported for medical treatment and underwent X-rays, with additional testing recommended to determine whether his spinal hardware had been damaged.
The Jackson Township Police Department has not publicly released its account of the incident or responded to the allegations. No body-camera footage, dash-camera footage or police reports related to the stop had been released as of Saturday.