6 arrested at festival disrupted by unruly crowds in Camden Co.: chief

PENNSAUKEN, NJ — Six people were arrested at a Pennsauken festival that ended early last weekend due to unruly crowds, officials said.

The township's summer kickoff was cut short Saturday night after “several large crowds” disrupted the event at the local soccer complex, Pennsauken Police Chief Philip P. Olivo said.

Subscribe

Four adults and two minors were arrested. The adults were aged 18 to 20.

“During the event, several large crowds began to form, aside from community members trying to enjoy this event,” Olivo said in a statement. “These crowds began to become unruly, leading to the event being shut down, before the situation deteriorated further.”

The Summer Kick Off was planned as a community gathering with live music, food and fireworks. But this is the second Camden County family gathering disrupted this month by unruly crowds — a week after fighting broke out at Gloucester Township Day — authorities said.

Pennsauken police brought in additional officers from Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties to manage the crowds.

“Pennsauken officers and mutual aid officers worked together and did a great job keeping the community safe,” Olivo said. “This type of unruly behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in Pennsauken Township.”

The following people were charged with disorderly conduct and failure to disperse:

• India Allen, 19, of Pennsauken
• Yamilet Meina, 18, from Camden
• Damien Green, 20, of Pennsauken
• Derek Berry, 18, of Pennsauken

Green was also charged with resisting arrest. Authorities have not released the identities of the minors or the charges against them.