New Ordinance in Gloucester Township Targets Parental Responsibility

In a recent move in New Jersey, Gloucester Township has implemented a new ordinance that holds parents accountable for their children’s behavior. This includes potential fines and even criminal charges if they fail to control their kids’ actions.

The ordinance, which was approved by the Township Council on July 28, comes in response to incidents last year where minors caused disruptions during community events like Gloucester Township Day and the Drone Show. The police released a statement indicating that the ordinance could lead to imprisonment for parents or guardians if they cannot prevent their children from breaking the law.

During one of these events, a significant altercation broke out among teenagers, resulting in 11 arrests, including nine minors. Interestingly, this year the event was postponed due to concerns that similar issues might arise, as hinted at by social media posts.

The new law lists 28 different offenses, varying from severe felonies to lesser crimes like loitering, violating curfews, and chronic school absenteeism.

“If a minor repeatedly faces charges in juvenile court, their guardians might see penalties up to 90 days in jail or fines that can reach $2,000,” the police explained. Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins noted that a warning would be given to guardians before any citation is issued.

Interestingly, the Chief mentioned that the language for these ordinances was inspired by similar measures in other towns. “We’re not the first to do this, but I think we may be one of the larger municipalities to adopt such a policy,” he said.

Gloucester Township is situated about 15 miles from Philadelphia. This new approach signals a stricter stance on youth crime, leaving many to wonder how effective it will be.