A curfew that was created in Trenton last month after a spate of shootings left two people dead and five others injured in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic will begin to ease up on Monday.
The curfew will be raised from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 11. Most businesses within the city must still remain closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., including gas stations, but some food services will be allowed to operate until 10 p.m.
"I’m pleased that our city police have been addressing violations of the Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order as well as recent spikes in violence in the Capital City,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “We have been assessing any such activity on our streets as well as managing our ability to respond to calls.”
The original curfew was issued by the mayor on April 6, a day after the shooting spree.
Vehicular traffic is still banned from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. by the mayor’s order, except for those who have to go to work or for necessary purposes, like caring for a family member or romantic partner. Drive-thru businesses and food delivery services, however, will be permitted to operate until 10 p.m.
The mayor’s order said the violence that broke out in the city involved all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs. Those vehicles will continue to be banned from all roads and parks throughout the duration of the city’s public health emergency declaration.
Gas stations are banned from selling gas to ATVs, as well.
“We’re going to ease back into normal,” Gusciora continued. "This is not something which can be rushed, and this does NOT mean that the fight is over. There should be no confusion: we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Anything we can do to protect the health and welfare of Trentonians will be a priority.”
The city said its re-opening process will be planned with the consultation of the police department, the Health and Human Services Department and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.