Newark Police Investigate “Monkeys on the Loose” — Officials Now Say Viral Photos Were AI-Generated Hoax

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY — What began as a bizarre report of wild monkeys roaming a Newark neighborhood has turned into a modern-day cautionary tale about AI-generated hoaxes and misinformation online.

On October 23, Newark police and animal control officers responded to multiple reports claiming that monkeys were spotted near Georgia King Village, a residential area in the city. One photo shared online appeared to show a monkey scaling a wall while two others rummaged through trash.

But when officers arrived, they found no animals at all — and now, authorities say the entire incident was based on AI-generated images.

“Officers have not located any monkeys,” said Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda. “Any photos or videos posted on social media regarding this incident are likely AI-generated.”

A Viral Primate Panic That Never Happened

Police say the city’s 311 system first received a call at 10:35 a.m. Thursday reporting monkeys near a dumpster. Animal control had also received a similar tip the day before. Both times, officers canvassed the area but found no signs of wildlife.

Investigators later concluded that the viral monkey photos circulating on social media were likely fabricated using artificial intelligence tools, and the entire situation was a false alarm.

The incident remains under investigation, but Newark officials have preliminarily labeled it a “hoax.”

Residents Speak Out: “Use AI for the Right Things”

Local residents say the prank — while seemingly harmless — highlights the growing problem of AI misuse and its potential to waste emergency resources.

“Use AI for the right things, not something like this,” said Harriette Guity, who works near Georgia King Village. “Because when something really does happen, officers might take their time responding — thinking it could just be another AI fake.”

Another resident, Richard Chapman, agreed, calling it a serious distraction for law enforcement. “Having the police come for something that’s not real is a waste of their time when they could be doing other things,” he told PIX11 News.

Police Warn Against Digital Pranks and AI-Driven Misinformation

This is not the first time AI-generated images have caused confusion in the tri-state area. Earlier this year, Yonkers police warned residents about an online “homeless man prank,” where AI-generated photos depicted a man entering people’s homes — prompting multiple false emergency calls.

“Officers are responding FAST using lights-and-sirens to what sounds like a call of a real intruder — only to be called off once it’s revealed as a joke,” Yonkers police said in a statement. “That’s not just a waste of resources; it’s a real safety risk.”

Experts say incidents like these demonstrate how AI-generated media can fuel panic and blur the line between reality and fiction. “Even a believable image can trigger real-world consequences,” one law enforcement analyst said. “It takes seconds to create an AI image, but hours for police to investigate it.”

Authorities Urge Public to Verify Before Sharing

Newark officials are urging residents to verify suspicious photos and videos before posting or sharing them online. They emphasize that false reports divert valuable resources from real emergencies.

So far, there have been no verified sightings of monkeys or any evidence of escaped animals in the city.

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