GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – Police in Gloucester have charged a man after he hosted a large after-dark commercial pool party, turning his home into a nightclub on Poplar Avenue. The quiet neighborhood turned into a party zone Sunday night and police responded.
“At approximately 9:22 PM, officers responded to Poplar Avenue, in the Blenheim section of Gloucester Township for several calls related to a large pool party with loud music,” police said. “Arriving officers found that the resident had over 100 people attending a pool party at a home located in a residential neighborhood.”
Upon their arrival, officers found numerous vehicles parked throughout the neighborhood and that the homeowner had a hired security agency to work the pool party event.
“Officers conducted a noise investigation using a Sound Level Meter, and the loud music was in violation of the Township’s Noise Ordinance,” police said. “The Officers determined that the party was creating a major disturbance to this typically quiet residential neighborhood and closed down the party.”
Backup support for local police had to be called in from the Runnemede, Stratford and Somerdale Police Departments to assist with dispersing the partygoers.
Chief David Harkins stated, “I am very concerned when a resident is found to use their residential back yard pool as a money-making business that requires security guards. The situation is volatile and troublesome for the officers who are tasked with keeping the peace, while safely dispersing a large crowd in a residential neighborhood that is not designed to handle this. This is not a family barbeque or get together, they are using their home to run an entertainment business. We will use all of our resources to keep the peace in this neighborhood.”
“The party organizer was issued local ordinance citations for Noise Violation and Maintaining a Nuisance. In addition, the homeowner and party organizer have been charged with Zoning Violations from the Gloucester Township Zoning Officer for home occupations involving Commercial Enterprise,” police said. “The homeowner was also issued several additional citations from Gloucester Township Code Enforcement for Property/Maintenance Code Violations that were found with the property. The Gloucester Township Public Works Litter Patrol responded to the area the next day to ensure the neighborhood was cleaned up.”
The homeowner, Quade Houston, was charged for violating local zoning and property maintenance ordinances. Organizer Beverly Houston was charged for maintaining a nuisance and violating local zoning ordinances.