Tag Archives: COVID-19

Police and Fire, Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Police Break Up ‘Corona Party,’ Reiterate No Tolerance Policy

UPDATE: From the Rumson Police Department the day after the party, March 5, 2020 …

“On behalf of Chief Scott Paterson, the Rumson Police Department has received some inquiries regarding the status of charging the people involved in party. The matter is presently under investigation by the Rumson Police Department and charges are pending. A post will be made once the subject(s) have been served with a criminal complaint.”

Lt. Christopher J. York

Mid-COVID-19 pandemic, Rumson police on Saturday night broke up a front lawn acoustic Pink Floyd concert party of about 30 people in their 40s and 50s.

The department issued a released statement about the party and its participants’ defiance of pandemic social distancing and disrespect and disregard for the state’s stay-at-home” edict. Authorities say they have a zero tolerance policy that will be adhered to stringently.

As of Friday, there were 19 Rumsonites who had tested positive for the virus. In Fair Haven there were 14. Close by, over the Oceanic Bridge, in Middletown, the largest municipality in Monmouth County, there were 156 positives, the largest number in the county.

Here’s what Rumson police had to say …

“This evening the Rumson Police Department received an unfortunate call about a group of 30 people on the front lawn of a house on Blackpoint Road near Wood Lane.

“When our patrols arrived we were met by a group of approx. 30 ’40-50′ year old ADULTS who were located in the middle of Blackpoint Road and on the front law attending an acoustic concert of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits. (Some even brought lawn chairs).

“The impromptu concert was performed by two guitarists equipped with microphones and amplifiers who were also broadcasting the concert via Facebook live. 

“When we informed everyone that they must leave — in accordance with Governor Murphy’s executive orders regarding these so called ‘corona-parties’ — we were met with well wishes of ‘F-the police’ and ‘Welcome to Nazi Germany’ from this group of 40-50 year old ADULTS. 

“As the old saying goes, in the midst of all this chaos, the band still played on, that is until they were advised in the middle of the 1975 classic Wish You Were Here, that they must stop the show. 

“Sadly I’m sure we all ‘wish we could be here,’ and the Rumson Police Department takes no enjoyment in ruining anyone’s fun! However we ALL have a responsibility to take this pandemic SERIOUSLY and adhere to the social distancing requirement. 

“We also need to be a good role model for our children and be kind and understanding during these times. 

“Please use this incident as a learning experience for everyone! If we have to respond to another ‘corona party’ we will be using a zero tolerance approach and everyone involved will be charged with Disorderly Conduct.

“We are all in this together and together we need to make smarter choices.”

News

Scene Around: Isolated View & Sobering COVID-19 Stats

A gloomy day at the riverfront in Rumson
Photo/Doug Borden

The sun may have finally come out today, but the picture is a dank, grim one as far as soaring COVID-19 stats go for the state and area. It’s no April Fool’s joke. Solitude is the only thing that will squash the curve, state, county and local authorities repeat with veracity daily.

Continue reading Scene Around: Isolated View & Sobering COVID-19 Stats →
News

Week’s Start: COVID-19 State, County, Local Updates & How to Help

Note: This story was updated to include stats and quotes from NJ Gov. Murphy’s Tuesday afternoon address on the COVID-19 situation …

From the state to the county and local level in New Jersey, the unrelenting “stay home” message in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic is getting more emphatic by the minute.

With New Jersey seeing a total of 18,696 as of Tuesday afternoon having tested positive for the virus, a jump overnight of 2,196 and 265 deaths (up by 69), three in their 30s, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy has continually pleaded with residents to just stay home to save lives and flatten the curve.

Citing the two young men who succumbed to COVID-19, but reaffirming that deaths from the virus tend to still hit the older and compromised community harder, Murphy stressed that the young mens’ deaths bring home the fact that “this is a reality for ALL of us.”

“I cannot be any clearer in my call,” the governor added. “Stay at home before this hits home. Please do your part to flatten this curve … We are not an average state. We are a “We can do the impossible” state. That is New Jersey. “Our job collectively is to stay at home and flatten that curve. If we do our part, we can meaningfully slow the spread and save lives … This is not about you, it’s about us. Now is the time to be selfless, not selfish … The very best thing we can do together is to stay home and to keep our distance from anyone else, even at home. “

NJ Gov. Phil Murphy, Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2020

The governor thanked everyone on the front lines, especially healthcare workers and emergency responders. He particularly pointed to the state’s “unsung heroes … home health aides, sanitation workers, retail employees, teamsters, truck drivers and transit workers. Their dedication means the world and it means that we will emerge from this stronger.”

Continue reading Week’s Start: COVID-19 State, County, Local Updates & How to Help →
Business Buzz

Area Restaurateurs Filling Plates with Comfort Food During Covid-19 Crisis

With full plates of COVID-19 stress, area eateries’ are approaching the crisis with a plates-half-full and cups of comfort running over mentality. NJ Gov. Phil Murphy’s stay-at-home edict has prompted the closed for eat-in area delis, markets and restaurants to heap a good portion of help onto that stressed dinnerware — at a safe distance.

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Local Life

Retro RFH Troops Rallying

Image
A little tribe of RFH troops in the 1970s
Photo/George Day

Sometimes it’s just time to call in the troops. For a break. For a laugh. For a reminder of some vigilant banding together laced with fun. Times are tough right now with COVID-19 and its implications, social distancing, virtual school, stress of the unknown and known and fear … growing and waning.

Continue reading Retro RFH Troops Rallying →