NJ police issue tickets, press charges against people breaking stay-at-home orders – WPIX 11 New York

NEWARK — As coronavirus cases continue to climb exponentially in New Jersey, police across the state are cracking down on anyone who is not social distancing.

Last night, police issued violations at an indoor soccer arena in Edison and at an engagement party in Lakewood. Parents at the Lakewood party are now facing child endangerment charges.

“We’ve got to get 100% compliance and we’re not going to be nice about it,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Multiple police departments in Essex County are also taking a zero tolerance approach. In Newark, dozens of tickets have been issued.

“Us stopping you, asking you not to be out here is the order of the attorney general,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. “And we’re enforcing it.”

Police in the 4 bordering cities of Newark, East Orange, Orange and Irvington stopped over 1,000 cars last night and found over 200 people out driving around for non-essential needs. They shut down 21 businesses. And today, over 100 officers were deployed to issue summonses.

“Together with Operation Lockdown, we’re also doing operation wipe down,” said the city of Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren. “We’re requiring all owners of senior citizen buildings, senior citizen buildings to wipe down 3 times per day with a disinfectant.”

“We are asking the stores that are open to make sure throughout the day that you sanitize the store, by cleaning the doors, the counter,” said East Orange Mayor Ted Green.

The mayors say they’re doing this to save lives.

Today, the state reported 91 new deaths for a total of 355.

Among the dead today is 60-year-old Janise Preschel of Teaneck. Described as a “woman of valor,” she was the founder of Helping Hands Food Pantry.

Gov. Murphy also announced 3,649 new cases of coronavirus, propelling the state total to 22,255.

One of the new positives is Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, who said today he has tested positive and is experiencing mild symptoms.

“I have been feeling alright,” said DiVincenzo. “I decided to get tested after experiencing a fever for several days and have been self-quarantined since March 21st.”

Hospitals in northern New Jersey are now reporting they are beginning to see a surge in patients. The state health commissioner said that 7 north Jersey hospitals have notified the state that they can no longer accept new patients. Their emergency rooms are overcrowded and their critical care units are at max capacity.

This comes just as the state is about to open it’s first field hospital at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. The Governor will tour that facility on Thursday morning.