Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports that members of the Newark Police Division dispersed a flash mob of people and vehicles that converged on Newark’s downtown area, resulting in the issuing of over 50 motor vehicle summonses, on Saturday, August 22.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9cIUI7gJx0&feature=youtu.be
“I commend our officers for immediately shutting down this flash mob and so-called 'Takeover' car meet that was promoted to happen in Newark,” Director Ambrose said. “Hundreds of people from other towns thought they could come into our city and take over our streets. They were sadly mistaken because they were caught and issued fines.”
According to police, shortly after 11 p.m., police responded to Edison Place and Mulberry Street where hundreds of individuals had arrived in the city following a social media promotion of a massive vehicle meet and flash mob.
Police observed vehicles and motorcycles driving at high speeds, popping “wheelies” and doing tire “burnouts.” A total of 57 summonses were issued.
The organizer has been identified as a male from Avenel. Among those cited for violations are males from Ridgefield Park, Bayonne, Phillipsburg, and Bergenfield.
Police report that summonses were issued for Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failing to Maintain a Lane, Noisy Muffler, Unsafe Lane Change, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Report Accident and Failure to Wear Seatbelt.
“And for those who fled and think they got away with it, they can look for summonses in the mail, too, because their plates were captured on the city’s surveillance cameras as they were committing motor vehicle violations,” Director Ambrose explained. “I want each and every one of those drivers to know that we will not tolerate them coming into Newark and creating a public safety hazard of any kind.”