“We’re not confirming the name of the juvenile that was arrested because there are confidentiality issues due to his age,” said Gene Rubino, spokesperson for the Hudson County prosecutor’s office. “We can confirm that a 16 year-old was arrested by the Weehawken Police Department for entering the water tower structure.”
The incident occurred between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the historic water tower at 4100 Park Avenue, adjacent to the Pathmark mall. The teenager caught by the police was initially charged with defiant trespass, defined by Rubino as, “When a person who is not licensed or privileged enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass is given.”
The charge was later amended to unlicensed entry of a structure. The teenager was also charged with resisting arrest because he ran away from the police.
Earlier this year a 16-year-old youth, a Weehawken resident, was charged with sneaking past security and climbing to the top the World Trade Center tower in March. In that case the teenager pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 days of community service.
Alerted by a passerby
“My understanding is a passerby must have seen something and told the cop on duty at the Pathmark,” said Weehawken Director of Public Safety Jeff Welz. A uniformed police officer regularly patrols the Pathmark mall.
“The cop left the Pathmark and went over to the tower,” said Welz. “He heard voices coming from inside. He called it in and additional units were sent.” Police believe a total of three kids were involved.
“He could have jeopardized his own safety. These larks sometimes have tragic consequences.” –Jeff Welz
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Only one teenager was caught. “He may be a good climber but he wasn’t a good runner,” said Welz.
Reckless and dangerous
“The building was locked at street level. There was apparently no sign of any doors forced,” said Welz. “We believe he shimmied up some support guides to a window on the second or third floor and climbed in. Although the window was closed it may not have been locked because it was three stories above the ground.”
From there the individuals climbed the interior stairs to the top of the 175-foot water tower and exited on the roof.
Channel 7 Eyewitness News subsequently broadcast and posted a cell phone video taken by a local resident, showing an individual scaling the spire atop the water tower and apparently posing for pictures. The video is too grainy to identify the perpetrator.
“According to the video he got to the top of the spire, which is extremely dangerous,” said Welz. “It’s a rod, originally designed as a lightning rod. It’s not made to support a person. If that broke, he would have fallen a considerable distance and sustained significant injuries.”
The teenager apprehended was not charged with breaking and entering. “For breaking and entering you have to prove he broke something to get in,” said Welz. “But they still don’t know for certain how he got in. He isn’t forthcoming.”
“My concern is the juvenile did an extremely reckless and dangerous thing,” Welz said. “He could have jeopardized his own safety. These larks sometimes have tragic consequences.”
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.