Police in New Jersey charged a couple with child endangerment for hosting a lawn party during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eliezer Silber, 37, and his wife Miriam Silber, 34, were charged with five counts of child endangerment for hosting a gathering of between 40 and 50 people on their front lawn in Lakewood, where their five children were present. Eliezer Silber was additionally charged with violating a ban on gatherings that was put into effect by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on March 21.
“As I have previously stated, my sworn duty is to protect all of the residents of Ocean County. That obligation applies across the board,” Ocean County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in the statement. “My office will prosecute any individual who defies or breaks the law, state of emergency or otherwise. Everyone must respect and follow the law. The men and women of the Lakewood Police Department have done an exceptional job in the face of a public health crisis. Their efforts are commendable.”
Lakewood, a town near the Jersey Shore, has recently broken up three weddings because of the executive order banning large gatherings.
“Our social distancing directives are not polite suggestions. We will enforce these,” Murphy said last week. New Jersey is home to at least 13,386 coronavirus cases and 161 deaths.
