6 people arrested at Camden County festival canceled due to unruly crowds: Chief

PENNSAUKEN, NJ — Six people were arrested at a festival in Pennsauken that ended early last weekend because of unruly crowds, officials said.

The community’s Summer Kick Off was canceled Saturday night after “many large crowds” disrupted the event at the local soccer complex, Pennsauken Police Chief Philip P. Olivo said.

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Four adults and two minors were arrested. The adults were between 18 and 20 years old.

“During the event, several large crowds began to form, aside from the community members who were trying to enjoy this event,” Olivo said in a statement. “These crowds began to become unruly, which led to the event being canceled before the situation deteriorated further.”

The Summer Kick Off was planned as a community gathering with live music, food and fireworks, but it was the second family-friendly gathering in Camden County this month to be interrupted by unruly crowds – a week after brawls broke out on Gloucester Township Day, authorities said.

Pennsauken police called in additional officers from Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties to help control the crowd.

“Pennsauken officers and deputies worked together and did an excellent job to keep the community safe,” Olivo said. “This type of disorderly conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Pennsauken Township.”

The following persons were charged with disturbing the peace and failing to disperse the assembly:

• India Allen, 19, of Pennsauken
• Yamilet Meina, 18, from Camden
• Damien Green, 20, of Pennsauken
• Derek Berry, 18, of Pennsauken

Green was also charged with resisting arrest. Authorities did not release the identities of the teens or charge them with any of the offenses.