Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora has issued an emergency executive order imposing a nightly curfew on East State Street between Carroll Street and South Broad Street in response to what officials called “ongoing violence” in the area.
Under Executive Order 25-01, all businesses within that corridor must close between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., starting tonight. The restrictions will remain in effect through Aug. 17, unless lifted earlier by the mayor, the business administrator and the police director.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Mayor Gusciora. “There has been ongoing violence in this area, and we must take immediate action to protect our community. The emergency curfew is a necessary measure to help ensure the safety of our residents.”
The city said it is pursuing several measures in conjunction with the curfew, including increasing the police presence and parking enforcement near City Hall during late-night hours, expanding cleanup and anti-dumping operations, and pursuing legal action against individuals and businesses tied to vandalism, illegal dumping or other disruptive conduct.
Trenton is also proposing amendments to city ordinances to strengthen enforcement tools in response to persistent public disorder.
City officials said they will assess the situation daily and urged local businesses to comply with the emergency order.
The curfew comes after recent reports of escalating late-night disturbances and violence, including two shootings and a police officer assaulted during a street fight last weekend.
Earlier this week, the mayor said he would be taking a series of actions aimed at restoring public safety in downtown Trenton, especially in the area of City Hall.
Over the past several weekends, large crowds have gathered on City Hall property and at a nearby establishment operating late into the night.
The situation has escalated, requiring assistance from the Trenton Police Department, N.J. State Police, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department.
“These aren’t just weekend parties, they’ve become a public safety threat,” Gusciora said. “City Hall is not a nightclub. We will not allow our streets and public spaces to be disrespected and damaged any longer.”
He added: “This past weekend cost the City over $10,000 in police overtime, not including outside law enforcement support, which is not permanent. We cannot afford to subsidize unsafe behavior. If anyone opposes these changes, they should propose a ‘Party Tax’ — because that’s what it would take.”
Gusciora warned that unchecked disorder will drive economic development away from the city.
“We’re not against nightlife. We’re against violence, trash, and disorder that threatens the safety of residents, officers, and businesses,” the mayor said. “It’s time to choose a thriving downtown. Trenton deserves better, and we’re taking action to deliver it.”
The full text of curfew Executive Order 25-01 is available at www.trentonnj.org.
Trenton City Hall. (Wikipedia photo.),
