JACKSON – Township police have responded recently to several reports of people trespassing onto the Six Flags Great Adventure property along Reed Road.
The most recent incidents occurred on April 16, when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Reed Road and trespassing on SFGA property.
During this investigation, a 49 year-old man was observed trespassing on property and claimed he went there to see the animals. He was issued a summons for defiant trespassing and released at the scene pending a court appearance.
A few days earlier, police received information on two men who were captured on SFGA security cameras, climbing over the fence and entering the safari property where they potentially could have risked coming into direct contact with the safari animals.
This incident reportedly took place around 6 p.m. on April 14, and the men were inside the safari for approximately 30 minutes before leaving. Anyone with any information on helping identify these subjects is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or through the department’s StopIt app online.
Around 2:31 p.m. on April 12, officers responded to Reed Road on a report of people along the fence line. Officers located a family on bikes riding along Reed Road, which is an unpaved, township road.
The officers did not observe anyone at the fence line trespassing on SFGA property which would fall under the petty disorderly persons offense of defiant trespassing and since the in presence requirement of the officers observing the offense was not met for them to legally issue a summons, the subjects were warned and SFGA representatives were contacted and advised they could sign complaints if they chose to.
Police considered the Governor’s Executive Order 107 which advises residents to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are leaving for the following reasons: (exception) “walking, running or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members or romantic partners” and Executive Order 108 which states that no county or municipality may adopt or enforce any restrictions going forward related to: “any general restrictions on freedom of movement”.
As this was a single-family riding bikes on a public roadway, and other passing vehicles observed and not a party or social gathering as prohibited the executive order, the subjects were advised of social distancing and no summonses were issued.
Such a summons would have to be authorized by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office as related to violations of the executive order.
The Township Police Department recommends that residents observe the Governor’s Executive Orders and stay at home, but if you do go outside, please remember to socially distance yourself from others. If going out, do not trespass onto Six Flags Adventure Property (or any others), as the park is closed at this time.
There will be additional patrols in the area and officers will investigate and evaluate each instance independently, keeping in mind the Executive Orders and Constitutional Rights and complaints will be signed when warranted.
