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Officers responded to the park on Hickstown Road on Saturday, March 8, at 1:07 p.m., after multiple callers reported a large fight near the football field, according to Gloucester Township Police.
An officer already at the park on an unrelated call heard the commotion and ran to investigate, police said. When officers arrived, they found dozens of people actively shoving each other and arguing, while a larger group gathered around them.
Police quickly stepped in, separated the involved parties, and remained on scene for about an hour to ensure the safety of other parkgoers, authorities said.
Investigators determined that all those involved were participating in an unsanctioned flag football tournament that had been advertised on private social media, police said. The event had not been authorized by the Gloucester Township Parks and Recreation Department, which requires a permit for organized athletic activities.
The fight reportedly began when coaches from a flag football team became upset with the tournament organizer and demanded a refund of their entry fees, according to police.
The Gloucester Township Police Department is investigating, and criminal charges along with local ordinance violations are pending against those involved.
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