Towns along the line South Jersey Shore The government took the precautionary measures after young people in the surrounding area reportedly engaged in “civil unrest” and even violence in recent weeks.
Last Wednesday, Margate Police said officers Parental Responsibility Act The law will allow police to prosecute parents if their unsupervised children disturb the peace on the street. According to the announcement, if an unaccompanied minor is caught engaging in illegal activities, endangering safety or ignoring the directions of a police officer, he or she will be taken to a police station and must be picked up by a parent or guardian.
“These kids have very little respect for anyone – not for themselves, not for their friends, not for the police or the officials. [or] I’m an adult.
The Parental Responsibility Ordinance addresses misbehaviours such as loitering, playing in vacant lots or on wharves, and walking in the streets after curfew, which runs from 10pm to 6am.
A first violation by a parent or guardian can result in a fine of $100 to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days of community service. In some cases, a judge may order the parent and child to perform community service together. Minors may also face criminal charges in appropriate cases.
“We, along with other police departments and public officials across the state, have urged parents to increase supervision of their children for the past several years. To date, these requests have met with limited or no success, so we have decided to take this step to ensure the safety of our community,” MCPD wrote.
“We’re being pushed to our limits.”
The neighborhood has already seen several instances of public unrest from unruly young people, with the city of Wildwood having to declare a temporary curfew over Memorial Weekend. emergency As teens began participating in “numerous civil disorder incidents,” Wildwood’s mayor Ernie Troiano Jr.Backpacks and other large bags will be prohibited on boardwalks and beaches.
“These kids have very little respect for anybody,” Troiano said. “No respect for themselves, no respect for their friends, no respect for the police or the officials. [or] Adults have a total lack of respect for any authority and the law is not being enforced.
That same weekend, a fight broke out between a large group of teenagers in nearby Ocean City, leaving a young man stabbed; thankfully, the victim only suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
For many years after that incident Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan “Ocean City will always welcome all guests, but we want to send a clear message to parents and teens: ‘If you don’t want to behave, don’t come.'”
Margate residents hope enforcement of the ordinance will help keep the peace in the city. “It might scare the kids a little bit,” admitted one teenager. One mother in the area believes parents will “keep an eye on their kids.”
“It’s hard, but it has to be done.”
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