Police break up parking lot birthday party after concerns over lack of social distancing

According to police and in an incident report obtained by WFXT, Jadeane Sica, a city councilor president for Ward 8 in Malden, held a party for her daughter's 21st birthday.

“She asked me if, while we were closed, that she could celebrate her daughters 21st in a social distance fashion,” said Anthony DeCotis, the owner of the parking lot.

Through a Zoom interview, WFXT spoke to DeCotis, the owner of Townline bowling alley and Mix 360 night club in Malden.

“I can’t really tell you that at every single moment someone kept driving or stopped, it’s a whole new norm for everybody,” said DeCotis.

According to the Malden police report, “Jadeane Sica was having a 21st birthday party for her daughter. Approximately 40 to 50 people gathered with DJ and music. Social distancing not being adhered too. Sica was advised and the partygoers ultimately dispersed."

Some of the party goers did not wear masks, according to police.

“During the COVID-19 situation, Malden Police officers have exercised great wisdom, common sense and compassion in their responses,” said a Malden police spokesperson. “Although COVID-19 has attached more risk to their mission, police officers continue undaunted.”

Despite multiple attempts to reach Sica, we were not able to reach her.

“The reason why they did it outside is to social distance; we have a big parking lot,” said DeCotis. “They could’ve gone out back and kept a secret.”

Police say no arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.

While Sica did not respond to our repeated attempts to get her side of this, she posted on her Facebook page, Friday afternoon to address the situation, saying:

“Certainly it wasn’t my intent to send a bad message. I take this pandemic seriously and like all of you can’t wait for us to be past it. But first and foremost, I’m a mother. A mother who is trying her best to find the right balance during a difficult time. If I got it wrong, I’ll own it. Like anyone with kids, I’d move mountains for them, and I was simply trying to find some semi normalcy for my 21-year-old daughter.”