Millburn Police Chief Addresses Short Hills Mall Rumors – Millburn, NJ Patch

MILLBURN, NJ — Many police chiefs and town officials around New Jersey have issued responses this week to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. But not many used as strong words as Millburn Police Chief Brian Gilfedder did in his statement Monday.

George Floyd died on Memorial Day, with the actions of the police caught on video. Cities from New York to Philadelphia to Chicago have seen several days of protests.

Gilfedder called the officers involved a “disgrace to law enforcement” in a statement Monday.

His department also said that social media rumors about threats to the Short Hills Mall and to residential areas were not credible. In two Tweets Monday, the town said:

The Millburn Police Department is aware of a number of threats targeting the Short Hills Mall. PD has responded accordingly and has found that there is no inherent danger to the public’s health and safety at this time.
— Township of Millburn (@millburntwp)

And an hour later, the town Tweeted:

ADDED: MPD is aware of reported threats regarding residential neighborhoods and has found no inherent danger to the public at this time. We will continue to monitor and respond appropriately.
— Township of Millburn (@millburntwp)

Gilfedder said, in his statement, “First and foremost, the Millburn Police Department (MPD) would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd. The actions of the police officers involved in the incident in Minneapolis, and specifically Derek Chauvin, are a disgrace to law enforcement. As I watched the murder of George Floyd, all I could think was what a horrific, inhuman and unacceptable act.”

He added, “We want to assure the Millburn community that this behavior demonstrated by law enforcement professionals is something that will never be tolerated in Millburn Township. All of the officers that were involved in this murder must be held accountable.”

He said, “We understand that this incident has brought up many emotions; however, we must not allow this tragedy to become a divisive wedge in our community. … Our Police Department is continually training on topics such as use of force, racial profiling, harassment, ethics and cultural diversity, among others. We continue to be transparent in notifying the community when our officers don’t hold themselves to these trainings and guidelines.”

To see the full statement, click here.

Several people on Twitter said there will be protests in more New Jersey towns this week, after peaceful protests in Newark and Jersey City. Protests in Trenton and New York City turned violent over the weekend.

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