Police officers around New Jersey are facing threats of being spit on, coughed on, and drooled on by people claiming to have the coronavirus.

 

One of the latest cases happened in Edison.

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According to police, they were called Wednesday night to help a man who was reportedly out of control.

Police say when they got there, the man coughed at the officers and said he had coronavirus.

 

The same day, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal's office announced at least six people are facing criminal charges for similar assaults on police officers.

Attorney General Grewal says, "We take all assaults on police officers seriously, but it is especially heinous for someone to spit or cough at an officer in an attempt to infect or threaten to infect them with COVID-19. Hundreds of officers across New Jersey are already infected with the virus, which, in many cases, they likely contracted by protecting and serving the public while on the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19."

Gov. Phil Murphy commented on the matter Thursday afternoon at his daily news conference, calling the people the first members of "Knucklehead Row" and saying their behavior was unacceptable.

"Let me be clear," says Gov. Murphy. "We are taking zero tolerance policy against anyone who acts so stupidly and puts others in danger or makes them fear for their health."

The governor says anyone who does this faces, at the very least, a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in jail.