Carnival-goers and disturbances posed threat to public safety

MIDDLESEX – Police ordered the premature closure of the Middlesex Firemen’s Carnival Saturday night, said Lt. Frank DeNick of the Middlesex Police Department.

On April 29, the carnival, which was scheduled to operate until 11 p.m., was ordered closed at 10:30 p.m. when an excessive number of carnival-goers coupled with reports of minor disturbances on the carnival grounds posed a threat to public safety.

“To ensure the safety of the all persons and to provide for the safe and orderly dispersal of the crowd, law enforcement resources from nearby towns were summoned,” Police Chief Matthew P. Geist said.

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Police from numerous surrounding towns and troopers from the State Police responded and assisted with crowd control.

“The crowd was dispersed without incident,” Geist said. “No injuries were reported and there were no arrests.”

Police added that there was no evidence to support the rumors circulating that gangs or gang violence was involved.

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin; 732-565-7256; cmakin@mycentraljersey.com