Bill > AR177

Introduced Session

This resolution urges the Governor and the Attorney General to take necessary measures to bolster municipalities' responses to unpermitted mass gatherings and "pop-up parties" across the State. Municipalities require special event permits for activities such as block parties, festivals, flea markets, carnivals, concerts, and non-spontaneous public demonstrations. The permitting process may require up to several months' notice to municipalities so they can effectively predict and adequately prepare the resources and personnel necessary to manage large crowds at particular events. Additionally, the permitting process allows municipalities to deny the permit application if such an event does not seem practical. Local communities in New Jersey, primarily near beaches and other hubs of community activity, have experienced a major increase in spontaneous, unpermitted mass gatherings that bring along disorderly and dangerous conduct. So called "pop-up parties" present a great risk of destructive, crowd-driven behavior and dangers that cannot be foreseen. Local law enforcement and municipal officials have worked together to prevent these unpermitted mass gatherings from taking place with varying degrees of success. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities passed a resolution at its 2022 Conference calling for State assistance and solutions to the myriad issues posed by unpermitted mass gatherings. State assistance may allow municipalities to better anticipate potential unpermitted mass gatherings, hold organizers and attendees who incite hazards accountable for their misdeeds, and dissuade future pop-up gatherings.

Committee Categories

Sean Kean (R)*,  Alex Sauickie (R)*,  Edward Thomson (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/23/2023)

Official Document