Overview
- Officers responded to Georgia King Village around 10:35 a.m. after reports of loose monkeys and found no animals during a search.
- The response followed a viral Facebook photo that appeared to show monkeys climbing around a dumpster at the complex.
- Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said the images are likely AI-generated, and police characterized the incident as a hoax.
- Animal control fielded a similar false report in Newark the previous day, and recent AI-image pranks in Yonkers led to intruder calls.
- Investigators have not filed charges as they work to identify whoever posted the images, and officials warn of penalties for false public alarms.