HPD Clarifies Nov. 5th Incident; Juvenile Law Bars Release of Names

The Harrison Police Department has provided an update regarding the November 5, 2025, incident that led to the arrest of six individuals, clarifying that the suspects are juveniles and that state law prohibits the release of their names or specific charges.

In response to a renewed inquiry from Your Harrison, police officials stated that all six individuals taken into custody were juveniles at the time of the incident and are being processed through the New Jersey Juvenile Justice system. As a result, the matter is legally classified as a juvenile delinquency proceeding rather than a criminal case, and identifying information — including names and detailed charges — cannot be disclosed under state law.

Police further clarified that early reports characterizing the incident as a “stabbing” were not entirely accurate. There was no stabbing. According to the Harrison Police Department, the event that prompted the arrests was more akin to a robbery, though details remain limited due to the juveniles’ protected legal status.

Coordinated Response, Swift Arrests

As previously reported, the November 5 incident triggered a significant, multi-agency law enforcement response involving the Harrison Police Department, New Jersey Transit Police, and the Port Authority Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit (PAPD ESU), with assistance from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office after the arrest.

Six juveniles were apprehended following foot pursuits through Harrison and into the PATH system. One suspect was ultimately located by PAPD ESU officers using thermal imaging equipment while hiding beneath a bridge in heavy brush. The incident resulted in a temporary suspension of PATH service between Newark and Harrison for approximately 40 minutes during the evening rush.

While law enforcement has confirmed the arrests and clarified the nature of the incident, no further information regarding the victim’s condition or the specific allegations has been released.

Juvenile Justice in New Jersey: Rehabilitation Over Punishment

Under New Jersey law, juvenile cases are handled in a separate court system that emphasizes rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Juvenile delinquency proceedings are confidential, and records are generally sealed to prevent long-term harm to minors who commit offenses.

The stated goal of the New Jersey Juvenile Justice system is to redirect young offenders through counseling, supervision, education, and support services, with the aim of reducing recidivism and reintegrating juveniles into society as productive adults. In most cases, juveniles do not receive criminal records, even when the underlying conduct involves serious allegations.

Public Debate Over Accountability

While the rehabilitative focus of the juvenile system is supported by many legal experts and child-advocacy groups, critics argue that it can shield serious offenders from meaningful accountability. Some residents have expressed concern that juveniles accused of violent or dangerous conduct are able to “skirt justice” in the name of rehabilitation, particularly when incidents have a broad public impact — such as disruptions to mass transit or threats to public safety.

Those concerns have been amplified in Harrison, a densely populated and rapidly developing community, where residents have sought clearer answers following a highly visible incident that affected transportation and emergency response resources.

Ongoing Concerns Over Transparency

Harrison Police Director Nick Breiner has emphasized that the department is complying with state law and juvenile-court requirements, and that the limited disclosure is not discretionary. Nonetheless, the lack of publicly available details has renewed discussion among residents about the Juvenile Justice System and its confidentiality rules that clash with public safety transparency and public confidence in the Justice system, especially in cases involving serious allegations and multiple agencies.

Harrison Police Chief Stanley Titterington and Police Director Nick Breiner recognized both the legal constraints of juvenile proceedings and the community’s interest in safety and accountability.

Anyone with information related to the November 5th (2025) incident is encouraged to contact the Harrison Police Department’s Detective Bureau through the following phone number (973) 483-4100.

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