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Glassboro officials describe ‘party patrol,’ new limits on large gatherings and rental sizes to curb student-party problems
Summary
After extended public comment on student parties, the borough described an overtime 'party patrol,' enforcement statistics and new ordinances restricting rental sizes and requiring permits for gatherings of 100+ people to allow shutdown of unpermitted events.
Residents raised safety concerns about large off-campus parties and crowds tied to the start of the academic year, and borough officials outlined a mix of enforcement and code changes they say are intended to reduce unsafe gatherings.
Bridal McNerney and other residents told the council they had seen repeated party-related incidents and asked about plans to de-escalate and prevent outsiders from traveling into Glassboro for parties. The administration described an overtime "party patrol" deployed on busy weekends and gave enforcement figures: since the start of the school year officials cited roughly 148 calls, about 50 noise complaints, 35 fights or disturbances and multiple summonses (including 17 nuisance summonses and 15 urinating-in-public summonses); the administration said officers have also been assaulted during some responses.
Officials said the borough had taken several steps this year, including passing an ordinance limiting new rental housing to no more than five bedrooms, and adopting an ordinance that requires a permit for gatherings of more than 100 people so the borough may order unpermitted events to shut down. Borough representatives warned that the landlord-licensing and enforcement approach may prompt litigation but said they are prepared to pursue enforcement to protect public safety.
Rowan University Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Kevin Kett spoke at the meeting and said the university coordinates with the borough, holds students accountable under the student code of conduct and participates in regular meetings to address these problems. Kett also provided a university contact for residents seeking to report concerns.
Council discussed continuing coordination with Rowan University and the county on traffic, DWI checkpoints and other targeted measures. Officials emphasized that while enforcement is active, staffing and recruitment constraints make police coverage challenging.
The meeting record shows the borough is pursuing both code changes and enhanced enforcement as a two-pronged approach to limit large, unregulated gatherings and to hold landlords and organizers accountable. Officials said they will continue collaboration with the university and county agencies and will monitor enforcement outcomes.
