New Jersey parents could face jail time under town's ordinance targeting children's unruly behavior
Under a new ordinance in a New Jersey town, parents can be fined and even charged for their children's unruly behavior.
The Township of Gloucester Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance stipulates consequences, including jail time, for parents and guardians who 'fail to prevent their children from breaking the law,' according to a news release from police.
The ordinance was passed by the Township Council July 28 and was introduced after incidents of public disturbance involving kids at events like last year's Gloucester Township Day and Drone Show.
During that event, a large brawl involving teens broke out, and 11 people were arrested, including nine teenagers, according to NJ.com.
Advertisement
The Township of Gloucester Minors and Parents' Responsibility Ordinance stipulates consequences, including jail time, for parents and guardians who 'fail to prevent their children from breaking the law.'
Gloucester Township Police
Three police officers were also injured during the melee.
The event was postponed this year, the outlet reported, because social media posts suggested similar behavior was planned.
The ordinance includes 28 different offenses that range from felonies to minor infractions such as loitering, breaking curfew or chronic truancy.
Advertisement
The Gloucester Township Police Department is located at the township municipal building.
Google Maps
'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.
Guardians will be issued a warning before a citation, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said, according to NewJersey.com.
'Our ordinance was actually sampled from other towns,' he explained. 'We're not necessarily the first, but we're probably the first bigger town to adopt it.'
Advertisement
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Gloucester Township Police Department for comment.
Gloucester Township is about 15 miles from Philadelphia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Newsweek
Parents Could Be Punished in New Jersey if Children Commit These 28 Crimes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In Gloucester Township, New Jersey, a new ordinance holds parents legally accountable for their children's actions. Passed on July 28, 2025, police shared the news about the ordinance over social media on Thursday. The "Minors and Parent Responsibility" law stipulates that parents or guardians may face fines up to $2,000 or jail time up to 90 days if their child commits any of 28 specified offenses. Newsweek has contacted the mayor of Gloucester Township for comment via email. Why It Matters Gloucester Township is among the first larger municipalities to implement such a measure. The ordinance encompasses a wide range of offenses, including felonies, disorderly conduct, loitering, curfew violations, chronic truancy, vandalism, drug-related activities, and associating with individuals involved in criminal behavior. If a minor is repeatedly found guilty in juvenile court, their parent or guardian may be held responsible. A pair of handcuffs are seen in this stock image. A pair of handcuffs are seen in this stock image. Romain Fellens/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What To Know The law was enacted following a series of incidents involving juvenile disturbances. Notably, during the 2024 Gloucester Township Day and Drone Show, a large group of minors caused significant disruptions, leading to 11 arrests and injuries to three police officers. The ordinance aims to address such issues by promoting parental oversight and accountability. The enforcement of the ordinance will be case-specific, with warnings typically issued before penalties are applied. The measure has garnered both support and criticism from the community. Some residents believe it will encourage better supervision of minors, while others express concerns about its fairness and potential overreach. There are 28 offenses, covering everything from serious felonies to minor violations, that can hold parents, legal guardians, or other caregivers of children under 18 legally responsible if their child commits them. Full list of offenses
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
McKinney considers ban on sitting or lying on the ground in downtown area
The City of McKinney is considering a new ordinance that could make sitting or lying on the ground in certain public areas illegal—particularly in the historic downtown district. The proposal comes amid growing concerns from business owners and city officials about the presence of transients, homeless individuals, and panhandlers around the town square. "Downtown McKinney is absolutely unique. We've got one of the best commercial historic districts in the state of Texas," said Tom Meredith, a downtown building owner. He and others say the area's appeal is being affected by people camping or loitering near storefronts. The proposed ordinance would make it unlawful to sit or lie down on public sidewalks, streets, or alleyways within the downtown area. It would also prohibit camping in those spaces. "Our job one is for our citizens to feel safe and for our businesses to operate in a manner that helps them be profitable," said McKinney Mayor Bill Cox. He noted that the ordinance could be revised during a city council meeting next week. The city previously installed dividers on benches to discourage people from lying down, but business owners say the measure hasn't stopped people from camping outside their doors. Some residents have criticized the proposal on social media, suggesting it could be used to unfairly target individuals. "This sounds like a way to make existing behavior illegal," one commenter wrote. "Like if a cop doesn't like what you are doing, they can just cite this as a reason for arrest." Cox responded by saying police would use discretion in enforcing the ordinance. "We would still welcome the wedding pictures and the photographs and all of the things that people do — the grandparents with the grandchildren sitting on the park bench," he said. "But at the same time, if people are sleeping on a park bench or on the sidewalk, the goal is to prevent that type of activity."
3 days ago
Police chief explains why NJ town could punish parents for teens' misconduct
Parents in one New Jersey township could face fines or jail time if their children cause a "public disturbance," according to a new ordinance that went into effect last month. The Gloucester Township Council adopted the measure on July 28, following a series of incidents that included a major disruption at last year's township festival. "We've gotten overwhelming support from our community," Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins told ABC News in an exclusive interview. "People recognize the need for parental responsibility." The ordinance came after the township's annual community day in June 2024, which Harkins said "got ruined by unruly juveniles who were being dropped off from out of the area by rideshares." Attendees were awaiting a drone light show at a local park just before 9 p.m. when some 500 young people began causing disruptions, according to Philadelphia ABC affiliate station WPVI. The disruption continued for two hours and escalated to the point that officers were called in from surrounding town to assist, according to WPVI, which noted that police arrested 12 people, including 10 juveniles between ages 13 and 17. Officers were "being spit on, cursed at, assaulted," Harkins told ABC News. "I've never experienced anything like it in 30 years as a police officer – the disrespect, the violent behavior that ruined a family event." The incident led officials to cancel this year's Gloucester Township Day. The ordinance specifies that parents of a minor who's found guilty of a first offense may be "ordered to provide supervision of the minor." A second offense could result in the minor's parent or legal guardian facing a fine of up to $2,000, a jail sentence of up to 90 days, or both. When asked about concerns from critics who say jailing parents under the new ordinance could potentially separate them from their other children, Harkins emphasized that punishment isn't the primary goal. "We're not looking to put anybody in jail," he said. "This is about warning parents and due process." Police will provide an information sheet and warnings to parents whose children are taken into custody, Harkins said. The department also offers support services, he said, including a full-time social worker and parenting classes, to assist parents who may have difficulty parenting an unruly child. "We understand being a parent is a tough job," Harkins said. "We're committed to giving help to those that need it." No parents have been charged since the ordinance took effect, according to Harkins. He said the ultimate goal was to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system by ensuring parents stay involved in their children's activities. "Many times interviewing the parents, they had no idea who their kids were with or what they were doing," Harkins said. "That's got to change."
