West Long Branch, NJ - Police and Partygoers Exchange Charges

West Long Branch, NJ - Police are investigating whether police officers acted appropriately when responding to a Monmouth Road house party.

Ron Edelstein - whose brother and sister-in-law Marc and Rena Edelstein, own the Monmouth Road house - said police used "extreme" force and brutality in responding to noise and parking complaints.
Edelstein said he believes police acted that way because the family and partyers were Jewish, and at least one police officer said, "Keep the Jews back," according to Ron.

But borough police Capt. Lawrence L. Mihlon said, its not so, and one of the police commanders at the scene, Sgt. Brian Kramer, is Jewish. "It's not a Jewish issue," Mihlon said. "We could not be more proud of our Jewish community. They step up to the plate."

Police from the borough, Long Branch, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Monmouth University, Eatontown, Shrewsbury and Interlaken responded to the party attended by "hundreds," Mihlon said.
Ron Edelstein estimated at least 300 people were at the party, held for the engagement of Marc and Rena Edelstein's daughter, when police responded. David M. Edelstein, 18, son of Marc and Rena Edelstein, was arrested and charged with two disorderly person's offenses - disorderly conduct and underage drinking of alcohol - along with two criminal offenses - aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, Mihlon said.

David Edelstein was treated at Monmouth Medical Center and released after complaining of breathing problems from the effects of police pepper spray, Mihlon said. A few dozen partyers, including two pregnant women and an epileptic boy, were pepper-sprayed, said Ron Edelstein, adding only David Edelstein, who has asthmatic bronchitis, sought medical treatment.
Borough police first responded to neighbors' complaints about noise and improper parking about 10:30 p.m., Mihlon said. Police responded again about 11:55 p.m. to more noise complaints, Mihlon said.
When David Edelstein became combative, they tried to arrest him, Mihlon said. David Edelstein resisted and fled, Mihlon said. Partyers intervened, becoming physical, leading borough police to request assistance from other police departments.