Residents press Glassboro council for more patrols after armed robbery; police say suspect charged

Residents of McClellan Avenue and the Overbrook neighborhood urged the Glassboro Mayor and Council to increase police patrols and address several homes they described as unregulated “sober houses” after a recent armed robbery.

"In a square city block, we have 7, supposedly safe houses. They're not safe houses, and they're not sober houses. They're slop houses," resident Boyd King told the council, identifying himself as living at 328 McClellan Avenue. King said his block has experienced a shooting, an armed robbery and repeated late-night disturbances; he asked the borough to increase patrols and to “circle that block.”

Mayor Wallace told the assembled residents he had reached out to the police chief after receiving emails from the victim’s family and that the incident was an active investigation. "As soon as I got that email, I reached out to the chief of police, got some information," the mayor said, adding that officials were mindful about releasing details while the investigation was active.

Glassboro Police Chief (Chief Knight) addressed the meeting and confirmed investigators had charged someone in connection with the robbery but were awaiting final approval from the prosecutor's office before releasing a public summary. "I am just waiting for final approval from the prosecutor's office to hopefully put something out in the next day or two regarding all the details of what took place," the chief said. The chief praised detectives' work and said officers had worked "tirelessly" on the case.

Other residents described property crime and nighttime disorder tied to houses where nonlocal occupants have lived. Chris Dickerman of 341 McClellan Avenue described attempts to vandalize vehicles and a recent car theft from a driveway. Several speakers asked the borough to increase visible patrols; Councilman Halter said he had been contacted and that patrols were being arranged immediately.

In response to residents' broader complaint that so-called sober homes in the borough were unregulated, a borough official told the meeting that state legislation recently introduced by Sen. Paul Moriarty would establish registration or licensing requirements for sober homes. The official said the borough would prepare a letter to the senator and review the proposed legislation.

The council noted police would deploy additional patrols in the affected block while detectives continue the investigation. No formal council action (ordinance or local licensing) was taken at the meeting; council and staff indicated they would follow up with county and state authorities and consider supporting state-level registration if the legislation provides mechanisms to address the residents' complaints.