SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A South Jersey man who allegedly harassed neighbors and was involved in a series of disruptive events that caused serious security concerns at the Southampton Township School District was arrested Thursday.
“The NJ State Police have confirmed the individual is in custody,” Southampton Township School District officials wrote in a message to the community Thursday morning. “We will resume normal school activities today while maintaining extra security. We will remain in contact with State Police and keep families informed.”
While the district has not identified the man, neighbors say his name is Mark Cozens. He lives in a single home that is just steps away from the Southampton School District campus. The home has a large sprawling yard with many Halloween decorations still up and political signs in support of President Trump.
Neighbors say his behavior has gotten erratic in recent weeks. There was a shelter-in-place in effect on the school campus on Tuesday and Wednesday and an increased police and security presence because of his actions.
New Jersey State police say they arrested him last month for recklessly firing a gun on his property.
“I shot there,” Cozens told NBC 10 after his arrest. “They ended up locking the poor kids down. [Then] a state trooper comes in my yard.”
District officials this week emailed families describing other incidents they reported to state police.
On November 2, officials said loud music was being blasted at the school campus. It got worse two days later, as classrooms had the windows open due to the nice weather and instruction was disrupted. That same day, officials said he sent them emails suggesting “emotional distress and possible self harm.”
Then, on Monday, November 9, officials said he drove through the district parking lot twice in different cars and was yelling at security cameras.
New Jersey State Police have not yet said where the man was located or the exact charges he faces.
