In the aftermath of two large-scale, pop-up gatherings that resulted in fighting and arrests at two Middlesex County malls over the last two weeks, the Bridgewater police chief is warning against any similar pop-up event that may be planned for the Bridgewater Commons Mall.
Bridgewater Police Chief John Mitzak said he was aware of social media posts promoting the Somerset County mall as the next possible gathering.
“Let me be clear: the safety of our residents, visitors and businesses is our highest priority,” Mitzak wrote in a statement. “Any planned disruptions or unlawful activity will be met with a coordinated response by the Bridgewater Police Department and our law enforcement partners.”
Mitzak did not say on which day the gathering was planned.
“The Bridgewater Police Department is actively monitoring all developments and social media activity related to this issue,” the chief wrote. “Should an event occur and poor choices be made, those involved will be held accountable.”
Police broke up a large pop-up party Saturday at a carnival outside the Woodbridge Center Mall after hundreds of teenagers and young adults arrived and several fights broke out.
Over 500 juveniles were there after the meetup was organized on TikTok, according to the Woodbridge Police. Nobody was arrested and one teenager was treated for a minor injury.
On May 17, more than 300 young people gathered at Menlo Park Mall in Edison when a “brawl ensued,” Edison Mayor Sam Joshi said in a statement on Facebook.
No weapons were involved, and no one was injured in the large-scale fight, but seven people were arrested, the mayor said.
Edison Township officials said last week that they want more measures taken at the mall, including cameras and a chaperone policy, to prevent another incident.
Stories by Chris Sheldon
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.