Updated on June 3, 2:45 p.m.
CLEMENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A dozen people were arrested in South Jersey after several fights broke out at an annual family-friendly event at Veterans Memorial Park in Camden County on Saturday. Eleven of those arrested were 18 years old or younger.
The annual Gloucester Township Day was marred by multiple fights involving an estimated 500 to 750 kids from out of town. Attendees were waiting for a drone light show to begin when officers noticed crowds of unsupervised teens gathered near the basketball courts between 8 and 9 p.m.
Officials say the teens coordinated the meetup on social media and used ride-hailing services to get to the event. Many exited the vehicles in masks and dark clothes.
Fights then broke out among the group, according to Gloucester Township police. The brawl started in the park and eventually migrated into a shopping center across the street.
During the fights, which took nearly three hours to place under control, police said an officer was knocked down by a man who attempted to ride his bike into a group of officers. That 33-year-old from Camden, identified as Ronald Jones, was arrested, along with 18-year-old Kevin Coleman, of Pine Hill, for disorderly conduct.
Ten teenagers, ranging in age from 13 to 17, were also arrested. Police said most of the teens were from neighboring towns.
Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said in all, three police officers suffered minor injuries, including the one who was knocked to the ground.
Nearly 70 officers with Gloucester Township were assigned to or responded to the event, in addition to 30 officers from neighboring towns who came to assist. The crowd was reported under control by 11 p.m.
These fights took place less than a week after a crowd of unruly teenagers at Wildwood pushed the town into a state of emergency.