Paterson police break up alleged Market Street after-hours joint where gang members were partying
By Jonathan Greene
Published: November 28, 2021
The police broke up an alleged after-hours joint early Friday morning where dozens of gang members were partying, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Police arrested the joint’s owner, Jesse Seegers, 41, of Paterson, on charges of maintaining a nuisance, allowing the consumption of alcohol, smoking in public, violating the hotspot law, operating without an entertainment license and no dance hall license, and playing loud music.
Seegers was running the alleged illegal night club out of the second floor of 320 Market Street. Police observed a person letting people inside at around 1:48 a.m. The suspect saw an unmarked police vehicle with city plates and ran upstairs.
Detectives walked inside the joint playing loud music. They were met by a cloud of smoke and strong marijuana and cigarette odor. As many as 75 people were inside. Police observed members of the street gang 4K Boys that deals in drugs and violence in the area.
Seegers told police he was the owner, and would shut down the party. Police said the crowd became uncooperative and refused to leave. Police learned about the presence of a gun at the location.
A 9mm handgun loaded with four bullets was recovered from under a table across from the disc jockey (DJ). The weapon was defaced and reported stolen out of Georgia, police said. No one was charged for the weapon.