A New Jersey police department has decided to take action against juvenile crime by implementing new measures to hold parents accountable for their children’s behavior. The Margate City Police Department has introduced a city ordinance that allows officers to intervene when unsupervised juveniles are engaging in unlawful behavior, putting their safety at risk, or ignoring lawful commands from officers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Recent incidents, such as a teen being stabbed on the boardwalk in nearby Ocean City during Memorial Day weekend, have prompted these actions. In response to the violence, the city of Wildwood has also banned backpacks on its beach and boardwalk from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Under the new ordinance, officers will bring unsupervised juveniles to the police department, where parents or guardians will be contacted to pick them up. If necessary, parents will be issued a summons, and the child will be charged with the offense for which they were detained.
The ordinance, known as “Ordinance 117-4 Parental Responsibility,” imposes penalties on parents or guardians who knowingly allow minors to loiter or engage in unsupervised activities in public areas between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The goal is to ensure that parents take responsibility for their children’s actions and prevent further incidents of juvenile crime in the community.
“We are asking parents to be responsible for the actions of their underage and unsupervised children,” the police department stated in a Facebook post. Despite previous calls for better supervision of children, authorities have seen limited success, leading to the implementation of these new measures to prioritize community safety.
The enforcement of this ordinance is part of a broader effort by law enforcement agencies and public officials across the state to address the issue of juvenile delinquency. By holding parents accountable for their children’s behavior, authorities hope to curb juvenile crime and create a safer environment for residents and visitors alike.
It is crucial for parents to be aware of their children’s whereabouts and activities, especially during late hours when unsupervised behavior is more likely to occur. By working together with law enforcement, parents can help prevent incidents of juvenile crime and ensure the well-being of their children and the community as a whole.