New Jersey police wasted valuable time and resources chasing after imaginary monkeys, all thanks to a deceptive AI-generated hoax. This absurdity highlights the dangers of misleading digital content in our modern society.
Viral images of wild monkeys roaming through Newark’s Georgia King Village apartment complex sent police officers into a panic-driven search this past Thursday. Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda confirmed that these alarming portrayals were fabricated and fueled by social media frenzy.
One particularly striking image depicted simians scavenging through a dumpster. Officers scoured the area thoroughly, but the so-called “monkeys” were nowhere to be found. Instead, they found themselves dealing with a fictitious crisis.
Miranda clearly stated, “Officers have not located any monkeys,” adding that the city’s animal control had also received fake reports just a day prior. This was a hoax plain and simple.
As authorities continue their investigation, they stand resolute in labeling this incident a farce. Local office worker Hariette Guity expressed concerns, urging, “Use AI for the right things, not something like this.”
Guity rightly pointed out the potential consequences of such fabrications: “When something really does happen, officers are going to take their time coming out because it could possibly be AI, something that’s false.”
Local resident Richard Chapman echoed this sentiment, criticizing the prank as a reckless waste of police resources. “Having the police come over here for something that’s not really real is wasting their time,” he asserted.
This incident isn’t an isolated case. It surfaces amid mounting concerns over a viral TikTok trend—the “AI Homeless Man Prank”—where individuals create and report fabricated images of a homeless man. These reckless antics endanger public trust and divert law enforcement from genuine issues.
It’s time to scrutinize how we use technology, ensuring we apply it responsibly rather than as a tool for disruption. Our law enforcement deserves better; they need our support, not unnecessary distractions.
