New Jersey Police to Issue Citations to Parents of Unruly Juveniles at Jersey Shore

New Jersey Police Department to Impose Citations on Parents of Unruly Juveniles in Jersey Shore

Following recent incidents involving underage visitors in towns along the Jersey Shore, the Margate City Police Department in New Jersey has announced its decision to issue citations to the parents of unruly juveniles. The initiative aims to address unlawful behavior and enhance safety in the area, which is a popular tourist destination.

Enforcement of City Ordinance

The police department will enforce a city ordinance that empowers officers to intervene when unsupervised juveniles are engaged in unlawful behavior, endangering their safety, or ignoring lawful commands from officers from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Recent Incidents

The decision comes in the wake of a stabbing incident involving a teenager on the boardwalk in nearby Ocean City during the Memorial Day weekend. In response to this violence and other incidents, the city of Wildwood has imposed a ban on backpacks on its beach and boardwalk from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

In Margate City, unsupervised juveniles will be taken to the police department, and their parents or guardians will be contacted to pick them up. Subsequently, the parents will be issued a summons if necessary, and the child will be charged with the offense for which they were detained.

Parental Responsibility Ordinance

The ordinance, known as "Ordinance 117-4 Parental Responsibility," imposes penalties on parents or guardians who knowingly permit minors to loiter or engage in unsupervised activities in public areas between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Appeal to Parents

The police department has appealed to parents to take responsibility for the actions of their underage and unsupervised children. They emphasized the need for better supervision to ensure the safety of the community.

Call for Action

This action comes after previous calls to parents to supervise their children more effectively have yielded limited success. Therefore, the police department has taken this step to prioritize the safety of the community.

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