Police Break Up 100-Person Rutgers House Party Friday Night

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — New Brunswick police say they were called in to break up a house party Friday night where 100 people — nearly all of them in their early 20s — had gathered inside a home on Guilden Street.

Capt. Joseph Miller of New Brunswick Police Department said the gathering was discovered when officers responded to a loud party on Guilden Street.

Upon arrival, the officers say they encountered approximately 100 people.

The party was broken up by the officers and the crowd was dispersed, police said. Summonses for loud party/music were issued.

That was only one of several house parties an NJ.com reporter witnessed Friday night while walking up and down College Avenue. As twentysomethings packed into backyards, gathered on porches and squeezed into crowded, non-ventilated stairwells, there was not a mask in sight.

This comes as coronavirus cases are surging on college campuses across the country: Penn State reported 27 students on main campus tested positive last week. Villanova University reported 24 positive cases. At the University of Alabama, more than 1,000 have tested positive since classes resumed less than two weeks ago.

Rutgers University acknowledged Monday morning that even though most classes will remain virtual for the fall semester, the New Brunswick/Piscataway area is still bracing for a massive influx of young people this fall.

Rutgers announced July 6 it is keeping most dorms closed this fall. But that hasn't stopped thousands of students, particularly upperclassmen in their junior and senior year, from returning to off-campus housing.

"We know that about 8,000 to 10,000 students are living in New Brunswick, Highland Park and Piscataway this fall," wrote dean of students Anne Newman in an email to the entire Rutgers community. "We also know many of you living at home may come to town to visit friends at some point this semester."

She pleaded with Rutgers students to maintain six-foot social distancing and wear masks. Judging by the Friday night scene on College Avenue, few seem to be listening.

She said Rutgers officials will not specifically be looking for students who are breaking social distancing. But she pleaded for all the young adults to adjust their behavior.

"We need off-campus students to be vigilant with helping slow down the spread of the virus," she said. "We believe you are conscientious and mature enough to adhere to the public health expectations of Rutgers."

Classes, nearly all of which are online, start Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Rutgers.

From NJ.com, this was the scene Friday night in New Brunswick:

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