Morristown police have charged four men with violating Gov. Murphy’s emergency orders, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Col. Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the State Police, announced on Saturday.
Tivon Davies, 20, of Morristown, was charged on Friday in connection with a disorderly group that gathered Thursday night outside an apartment on Clyde Potts Drive.
Earlier, Antoni Moore, 31, Gary Smith, 19, and Onir Ritzie, 26, all of Morristown, were charged in the same matter.
Morristown police responded at 10 pm Thursday, April 16, 2020, to a report of a fight outside an apartment on Clyde Potts Drive. About a dozen people were gathered outside; most dispersed when police arrived, according to state authorities.
The apartment door was open and Moore, Smith and Ritzie were inside. They do not reside in the apartment, authorities said.
They were issued summonses on charges of violating the governor’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic. The cases will be heard in municipal court.
These disorderly persons offenses carry penalties up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000 upon conviction. Violators also may face criminal charges including second, third, and fourth degree indictable offenses, authorities said.
On Saturday, April 4, Anekia Dawkins, 35, of Morristown, was charged by police with violating the ban against gatherings by hosting a party with more than 10 people at her residence.
“Staying home and maintaining social distance isn’t just the best advice to stay healthy, it’s the law. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to keep our residents and officers safe, and that means we won’t hesitate to file charges against violators,” Grewal said in statement.
“Our police officers are working bravely and tirelessly every day to protect us during this health crisis. Regrettably, they are being called upon far too often to deal with people violating the emergency orders— or what is more egregious, people using the virus to spread fear or impede officers in their vital work,” he said.
“Law enforcement and medical professionals are on the frontlines of this battle to protect the citizens of New Jersey from the COVID-19 virus, and we cannot stress enough how important it is that each person follow the guidelines set forth in the Executive Order,” added Callahan.
“Because lives are at stake, enforcement action will be taken without hesitation against those who are blatantly placing the lives of others at risk.”
Anyone who sees a lack of compliance with the governor’s emergency ordersis asked to contact local police or report it here.
The Attorney General’s Office and State Police added that they are on the lookout for hate crimes.
“No one should take advantage of this pandemic to further their own biased agendas. COVID-19 is no excuse to promote anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and or other biased stereotypes,” they said in their statement
Bias crimes should be reported at 1-800-277-BIAS.
His job was gratuitous because his family handled all the dirty campaign deeds for Mr Mayor and his buddies. Same ol same ol BS in Town Hall. Anyone else woulda been fired on the first complaint of sexual harassment. Smdh
@John- good question! I wonder how that sexual harassment case against him and the town is going?!
Is Mr. Smith still employed by the town?