New jersey mayor calls for party tax after unruly crowds outside city hall

TRENTON, N.J. — Following a weekend marred by two shootings and the assault of a police officer during a street brawl, Trenton officials have announced a crackdown on late-night disturbances in the city’s downtown area.

“These aren’t just weekend parties, they’ve become a public safety threat,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora during a press briefing this week. “City Hall is not a nightclub. We will not allow our streets and public spaces to be disrespected and damaged any longer.”

For several weekends, large crowds have gathered around City Hall and a nearby venue that operates into the early morning hours. The gatherings have escalated, requiring emergency response from the Trenton Police Department along with support from New Jersey State Police, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department.

The mayor’s office has introduced new ordinances aimed at curbing the disturbances:

A midnight curfew for non-bar entertainment venues
Mandatory off-duty police presence at events with more than 50 attendees
Financial liability for businesses tied to disruptive crowds, including costs related to law enforcement and cleanup

“This past weekend cost the City over $10,000 in police overtime, not including outside law enforcement support, which is not permanent,” Gusciora said. “We cannot afford to subsidize unsafe behavior. If anyone opposes these changes, they should propose a ‘Party Tax’ — because that’s what it would take.”

While acknowledging the importance of nightlife to Trenton’s economic landscape, the mayor warned that disorder threatens progress.

“We’re not against nightlife. We’re against violence, trash, and disorder that threatens the safety of residents, officers, and businesses,” he said. “It’s time to choose a thriving downtown. Trenton deserves better, and we’re taking action to deliver it.”

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