Austin Bogues
Asbury Park Press
RUMSON, N.J. — Police said they broke up a Pink Floyd cover set at a lawn party held near Blackpoint Road and Wood Lane Saturday evening, which they said violated Gov. Phil Murphy’s social distancing executive orders.
According to a note on Facebook from the police department, the “band played on” when police arrived on the scene, until told in the midst of the 1975 track “Wish You Were Here” the music had to stop and the crowd of 30 people had to disperse. Police said the incident was still under investigation and charges are pending.
They said they were met with responses from the crowd of what they described as 40 to 50-year-old adults of “F-- the police,” — apparently not the song by N.W.A. — and “Welcome to Nazi Germany.”
https://www.facebook.com/657294807748957/photos/a.663739707104467/1939414052870353/?type=3&theater
Homeowner John Maldjian, 54, was charged with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and two additional charges connected to violating the emergency orders, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.
According to the attorney general, violations of the emergency orders carry a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Some violations also are considered indictable offenses.
Rumson Police issued a warning to the public.
“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,” the department wrote.