Authorities in a New Jersey town have enacted a law threatening parents with penalties including jail time, should their children exhibiting unruly behavior not be properly controlled.
Gloucester Township Introduces Tough New Ordinance to Curb Youth Misconduct
Gloucester Township, New Jersey, has taken a bold step to address youth disorder by passing the Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance. This new law, which was enacted on July 28, aims to deter juvenile delinquency by holding parents accountable for their children's unruly behavior.
The ordinance covers a broad spectrum of offenses, ranging from felonies to minor infractions such as loitering, breaking curfew, or chronic truancy. Parents could face fines up to $2,000 and/or jail time up to 90 days if their child is repeatedly found guilty in juvenile court.
The stringent measures were introduced after incidents of public disturbance involving kids at events like last year's Gloucester Township Day and Drone Show. A large brawl involving teens broke out at the event, resulting in 11 arrests, including nine teenagers, and injuries to three police officers.
Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins stated that the ordinance was sampled from other towns. Before issuing citations or penalties, guardians receive warnings as a first step. This ordinance stands out as Gloucester Township is among the larger municipalities adopting such comprehensive parental responsibility laws.
The ordinance stipulates consequences, including jail time, for parents who fail to prevent their children from breaking the law. Offenses covered under the ordinance include but are not limited to:
- Felonies, misdemeanors, or other crimes
- Violations of penal laws or municipal ordinances
- Disorderly conduct and habitual vagrancy
- Incorrigibility or immorality
- Associating with thieves or immoral persons
- Roaming streets idly, especially at night
- Habitual truancy from school
- Morally or health-endangering behavior
- Motor vehicle violations under Title 39 (excluding parking)
- Narcotics or drug sales/use
- Property destruction or graffiti
- Assaults and mugging
- Loitering in groups of three or more in public areas
- Destruction or defacing of public property, including playgrounds and parks
- Consumption of alcohol or drunkenness in public
- Begging
- Lack of parental supervision for minors under 18
- Indecent exposure
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The Gloucester Township Police Department has not yet provided a comment to Digital regarding the new ordinance. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
[1] Gloucester Township Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance, Township of Gloucester, New Jersey, 2022. [2] Harkins, D. (2022). Press Conference: New Parental Responsibility Ordinance. Gloucester Township, NJ. [3] Gloucester Township Day and Drone Show Incident Report, Gloucester Township Police Department, 2021.
The Gloucester Township Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance, enacted on July 28, now includes 'politics' and 'general-news' as prominent topics due to its impact on the community and parental accountability for youth misconduct. Moreover, the ordinance also addresses 'crime-and-justice' issues, as it stipulates consequences for parents whose children engage in various offenses such as public disturbances, assaults, and criminal activities.
