A town in New Jersey is tired of kids breaking the law and they’re going to do something about it by holding the parents of unruly kids responsible.
On July 28th the Council in Gloucester Township passed an ordinance that stipulates penalties and punishments for parents and guardians including jail time for those who “fail to prevent their children from breaking the law.”
One of the incidents that spurred the new ordinance was a brawl that broke out involving kids at last years Township Day and Drone Show. Officials say 11 people were arrested, 9 of them being teenagers and 3 police officers were injured. This years festival was canceled because of last years fight.
The ordinance covers 28 different offenses ranging from simple misdemeanors to violent felonies. Parents/Guardians will first be issued a warning to correct their child’s behavior before citations are issued.
“If a child is repeatedly found guilty in juvenile court, their caretaker could face up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,000,” the department said.
Here is the list of all 28 offenses that parents/guardians would be held responsible for:
- A felony, high misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or other offense
- Violation of any penal law or municipal ordinance
- Any act/offense prosecutable as a criminal action or proceeding
- Being a disorderly person
- Habitual vagrancy
- Incorrigibility
- Immorality
- Knowingly associating with thieves or vicious/immoral people
- Growing up in idleness or delinquency
- Knowingly visiting gambling places or patronizing places where admission violates law
- Idly roaming the streets at night
- Habitual truancy from school
- Deportment endangering the morals, health, or general welfare of the child
- Any Title 39 (NJ Motor Vehicle Act) violations in operating/using a motor vehicle (not parking)
- Sale and use of narcotics or other drugs
- Defacing the property of another (graffiti)
- Destroying any property of another
- Mugging
- Assaults
- Assault and battery
- Loitering in groups of three or more on public streets/highways/alleys
- Loitering or destruction/defacing of public property owned by township/county/state
- Destruction of playground equipment and public parks
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages on a public street
- Drunkenness
- Begging
- Lack of supervision by a parent/guardian/other person with custody of a minor under 18
- Indecent exposure
