Chaos at Maple Shade carnival forces early shutdown, cancels final night

MAPLE SHADE, N.J. (WPVI) -- A community carnival meant to raise money for a local youth football program shut down early Friday night after large crowds of teens caused disturbances and forced the cancellation of the event's final and typically biggest night, police said.

The carnival, which benefits the Maple Shade Tigers youth football program, was scheduled to continue Saturday, but organizers called it off following the incident.

Police say several teens are now facing charges.

Witnesses described crowds leaving the area under police supervision.

"Just herds of kids walking out. Cops escorting them out," said Cody Quick, a Maple Shade football parent.

Neighbors and carnival-goers said groups of teens were seen sprinting down nearby streets and fighting as the scene unfolded on Friday night.

RELATED: Parents can be fined or charged for their kids' bad behavior in a South Jersey town

Maple Shade police said officers were met with hostility as they worked to disperse the crowd.

"They were cursing at police officers. They were clearly trying to provoke physical confrontations with cops," said Lt. Daniel O'Brien of the Maple Shade Police Department.

Police are reviewing videos posted to social media as part of their investigation.

Authorities say the footage appears to show teens fighting and officers attempting to break up crowds.

The event was shut down early Friday, and the cancellation of Saturday night resulted in significant financial losses for the youth football program.

"As a nonprofit, everything always goes back into the program...new equipment, uniforms, helmets," said Thomas Oshinsky, president of the Maple Shade Tigers.

The incident comes after years of similar issues involving teens at community events and down the shore.

In January, then-Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation allowing police to fine parents of juveniles involved in certain disturbances.

In the most serious cases, parents could face jail time. Maple Shade police say they are exploring that option, but note the process will take time as investigators review video, identify suspects and locate their guardians.

"If your kid is leaving the house with a face mask to go to a carnival, I think that should be a sign that they might be getting themselves into trouble," O'Brien said.

Police said following a similar incident at the carnival last year, the department increased police coverage and added surveillance cameras and a drone to monitor the event.

Officials added that initial reports of weapons at Friday's incident were unfounded, and no serious injuries were reported.