Police in Morris on alert after gangs make threats

PARSIPPANY – Township police have been told to be on alert after threats were made against law enforcement personnel by gang members.

The Baltimore Police Department / Criminal Intelligence Unit has received credible information that members of various gangs, including the Black Guerrilla Family, Bloods, and Crips have entered into a partnership to "take-out" law enforcement officers, according to an alert issued by Parsippany police.

"This is a credible threat," the alert said. "Law enforcement agencies should take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of officers."

The alert asked the media to distribute this information to the public.

The alert came as hundreds of youths clashed violently with police outside a mall in northwest Baltimore. Several officers were injured after a flier circulated on social media called for a period of violence Monday afternoon to begin at the Mondawmin Mall and move downtown toward City Hall.

Earlier in the day, thousands gathered for Freddie Gray's funeral. Gray died of an unexplained spinal injury while in police custody.

Outside the mall, a young person threw a flaming trash can at the line of officers, igniting a patch of grass nearby. Police said at least one officer was injured after being hit by a flying brick.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the activities had anything to do with Freddie Gray, who died of a spinal injury while in police custody. Demonstrators angry over Gray's death have become violent at times.

Baltimore police say the department believes three notoriously violent gangs are now working together to "take out" law enforcement officers.

Earlier this year, Baltimore police said the Black Guerilla Family sent a man into the Northeastern District station house with marijuana, cocaine and a loaded gun to test the station's security.

The Rev. Al Sharpton says he plans to meet with activists and faith leaders in Baltimore to schedule a two-day march from Baltimore to Washington in May.

He says the march will aim to bring the cases of Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Walter Scott and Eric Harris to the attention of new Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

In a statement Monday before Gray's funeral, Sharpton says he had been resisting getting personally involved because he wanted to wait until he saw what the police department's investigation found. But now he says since the department's report may not be released publicly, he has decided to travel to Baltimore.