GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (CNBNEWS)Oct. 24, 2025)—Sweetie and I were walking in the field across from the Cold Springs today. It was around 8 AM. She was off lead and was healing on my left side. A vehicle came out of nowhere and brushed my right side leg.. When Sweetie saw the car, she ran towards Cold Springs Drive. Fortunately, she came when I called her. I hooked her to her lead and approached the woman, who was still on her computer, and knocked gently on her window. When I explained to her what had happened, she apologized several times.
Despite being so close to me that her car brushed my right leg, the woman said she never saw me.
Neither Sweetie nor I was hurt. Things could have been much worse. During my walks along Cold Springs Drive, I have noticed numerous people texting while driving on that street.
The refrigerator violates a City ordinance passed in 1955 that mandates the door on the appliance must be removed. The penalty for violating this law is a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 20, 2024)(CNBNews)–While walking this Friday, Peyton and ME noticed an old, battered refrigerator in front of a garage on North Harley Avenue. The appliance, which looks like it has weathered many seasons, still has its door attached, yet its broken state suggests it has been abandoned there for quite some time. In Gloucester City, like in many other municipalities, a strict ordinance mandates the removal of doors from discarded appliances to prevent potential accidents.
It is deeply troubling to see that the residents of this property have neglected to address this safety hazard. The old refrigerator seriously threatens inquisitive children who may be drawn to it while playing nearby. Still, it also significantly diminishes the neighborhood’s visual appeal, creating an unsightly nuisance for those living on that block and for anyone passing by. Adding to the scene’s clutter, a cabinet or locker is positioned just a few feet from the refrigerator, amplifying the sense of disorder and increasing safety risks in the yard.
In our research about the dangers associated with abandoned refrigerators, one heartbreaking story stood out: the tragic case from 2019 in Florida, where three young children—ages 1, 4, and 6—lost their lives inside an unplugged chest freezer. According to a post by the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, the children, curious and playful, climbed into the freezer while outside, leading to a heartbreaking outcome.
The City of Gloucester has proactively addressed such dangers since November 3, 1955, when the Mayor and Council adopted a resolution prohibiting individuals from leaving a refrigerator outside with its door still intact. Violations of this important ordinance can have severe consequences: a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both. This enforcement mechanism is backed by N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, as amended.
This situation raises an important question: who is ultimately responsible for enforcing the city ordinance enacted in 1955? Is it the task of the Housing Office or the Gloucester City Police to ensure compliance and protect the community?
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to leave outside of any building or dwelling in a place accessible to children any abandoned, discarded and unattended icebox, refrigerator, freezer or any similar article, appliance or container which has an airtight door or lock which may not be released for opening from the inside thereof, unless such person, firm or corporation shall have first removed the door or snap lock from such icebox, refrigerator, freezer or similar article, appliance or container.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Gloucester City 11-3-1955. Amendments noted where applicable.]
An emergency is declared to exist in the City of Gloucester City with respect to the outdoor storage of abandoned, discarded and unattended iceboxes, refrigerators, freezers and other similar appliances, containers or articles which have airtight doors or locks which may not be released for opening from the inside.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to leave outside of any building or dwelling in a place accessible to children any abandoned, discarded and unattended icebox, refrigerator, freezer or any similar article, appliance or container which has an airtight door or lock which may not be released for opening from the inside thereof, unless such person, firm or corporation shall have first removed the door or snap lock from such icebox, refrigerator, freezer or similar article, appliance or container.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction therefor before the Judge of the Municipal Court of Gloucester City, be fined not more than $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the aforesaid Judge.
(SEPTEMBER 2021)Construction completed in 1914. Ships used to dock at Freedom Pier carrying immigrants to the port of Philadelphia. The large building to the east was used a processing center by the Department of Immigration. In 1945 the site was converted into a US Coast Guard Station and the pier was used to dock the buoy tenders “Red Oak” and Lilac and several 40′ patrol boats. In 1988 the Coast Guard moved into a new facility in Philadelphia.
Gloucester City’s Freedom Pier will be 10 years old this coming September. The exact date of the unveiling of the pier was September 17, 2011. Approximately 100 people attended the dedication including State Senator Donald Norcross, Assemblymen Gilbert Whip Wilson, and Angel Fuentes, Sheriff and former City Mayor CHALIE Billingham, Freeholder and former City Councilman Tom Gurick, Councilmen Nick Marchese, Jay Brophy and Dan Spencer, City Historian Dave Munn, School Board President Louisa Lwellyn and St. Mary’s Church Deacon Frank Crosson.
