Homeowners cited after rowdy for-profit parties in Gloucester Township, NJ: police

GLOUCESTER TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Two homeowners in Gloucester Township, NJ, are facing charges after rowdy gatherings in Sicklerville on Sunday night.

Devida Bailey, 52, and Diamond Jones, 39, both face charges of maintaining a nuisance, and more violations are possible pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

Police say they responded to Bailey's home on Vance Avenue shortly before 9:30 p.m. for reports of a large party and loud music. Authorities estimate 300 people were in attendance, and hosts had charged an admission fee.

Video obtained by Action News shows some of the crowd spilling into the street after police were called. One neighbor said the size of the crowd was alarming.

"I was glad to see the police there moving people along. We're not used to that here. This is a very quiet neighborhood. Very quiet block, and we don't stand for that sort of thing," said Charles Gill.

"They were running back and forth up the street. They were all here in the front of the stop sign, there were cars parked all along the side here," added Robert Nash.

Neighbors said the crowds left behind large amounts of trash, which they had to clean up, but police said the township's Public Works Department also responded the next day.

A short time later, just after 10:30 p.m., police were called to Andrea Court, a few miles away, where many from the same group had migrated. After what appears to be a minor crash caught on video, police say partygoers attempted to assault the driver and threw a liquor bottle, shattering the vehicle's rear window.

After dispersing the crowd, police said they descended on a Wawa nearby, causing it to briefly shut down as officers responded yet again. All of this was very out of the ordinary, according to longtime residents.

"I've been here for 26 years and we're peaceful. I'm retired. I don't need that. We don't need that kind of mess around here," Nash said.

Police said the parties had been advertised with flyers. Neighbors said there were also posts on social media.

People in the community said they hope their neighbors will be more considerate in the future.

"Have fun, have little parties, but do it in a nice way, in a productive way and respect your neighbors too," said Kenneth Scott.

The Gloucester Township Police Department highly discourages this type of large for-profit gatherings in residential neighborhood homes as they are a safety hazard and in violation of multiple state, local and zoning ordinances and will investigate and prosecute any and all reports of such to the fullest extent," police said in a press release.

Action News attempted to speak with both homeowners, but no one answered door on Vance Ave, and a woman who answered the door on Andrea Court said the homeowner was not there.

Gloucester Township police ask any witnesses or those with information that could assist in their investigation to come forward.