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Florence cancels carnival after large fight; police urge legislative changes as council weighs community response
Summary
Police Chief Brian Boldizar described multiple juvenile arrests after a melee at the township carnival; the incident and circulating videos prompted cancellation of a subsequent carnival night, council discussion about juvenile accountability, and requests to engage legislators to consider changing enforcement options.
Florence Township canceled the second night of its recent carnival after multiple physical altercations, Police Chief Brian Boldizar told the council on June 3, citing safety concerns and the prospect of repeat incidents in the Village of Roebling.
"We had 16 jurisdictions come in to help to disperse all of the kids because they were causing havoc all over the Village," Boldizar said, describing arrests of several juveniles on disorderly conduct-related charges and one officer injured while making arrests. He said juveniles were reviewed with the County Juvenile Prosecutor and most were released to parents; adults were processed on summonses.
Council members and the chief said the pattern of youth disorder is a wider county and state issue. Council Representative Talaya Loftin urged a coordinated, community-based response including school administrators and social supports, while Council Representative Gina Sullivan suggested bringing legislators and district representatives together to address enforcement and prevention.
Solicitor Robert Wright briefed the council on municipal offense ranges and restitution options and said a judge can consider damages in issuing fines. "A judge would take everything into consideration and probably issue closer to a $2,000 fine instead of a $100 fine," Wright said, noting municipal penalties vary by offense.
Chief Boldizar said officers used county coordination to address the incident and that the department worked with juvenile prosecutors to process cases. Council members asked staff to pursue a town hall or joint meeting with school officials, law enforcement and legislators to develop a broader strategy.
The council did not take formal legislative action at the meeting but directed staff to explore convening stakeholders and to report back on possible local ordinance changes and outreach steps.
