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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
The town rocked by youth violence where parents face jail time if their kids commit crime
Parents in a New Jersey township could be hit with fines or even jail time if their kids cause a public disturbance thanks to new rules brought in to curb antisocial behavior. Gloucester Township Council have adopted the new measure after a series of incidents involving 'unruly juveniles' ruining a town festival two years in a row. Last year the township's annual community day in June descended into chaos after around 500 people started causing disruptions, according to WPVI. Disruption ran on for two hours and resulted in the arrest of 10 juveniles aged between 13 and 17, along with two adults. Officers were reportedly spat on, cursed at and assaulted according to Police Chief David Harkins. This year the event was due to go ahead, but was postponed over threats of violence being made. Now new rules specify that parents of a minor who is found guilty of a first offense may be 'ordered to provide supervision of the minor'. Another offense could see the parent or legal guardian hit with a fine of $2,000, or face a jail sentence of 90 days, or both, the ordinance says. Speaking with ABC News, Chief Harkins emphasized that punishment isn't the primary goal with the new rules. He said: 'We're not looking to put anybody in jail. This is about warning parents and due process. 'We've gotten overwhelming support from our community. People recognize the need for parental responsibility.' Speaking on the youth violence, he added: 'I've never experienced anything like it in 30 years as a police officer the disrespect, the violent behavior that ruined a family event. 'We understand being a parent is a tough job. We're committed to giving help to those that need it. 'Many times interviewing the parents, they had no idea who their kids were with or what they were doing. That's got to change.' Harkins told the outlet that so far no parents have been charged since the new rules were brought in. Speaking with NewsNation, Mayor David Mayer said: 'We have a juvenile crisis in this country. This is not unique to Gloucester Township. 'It is symptomatic of a larger societal juvenile crisis. I'll tell you, I don't have all the answers. But one possible answer is to hold parents accountable for their children. 'We have to get parents' attention to make sure they're tracking their children, juveniles, in a proper way, and hold them responsible.' The outlet also spoke with parents who are outraged over the move and believe it has set a dangerous precedent. Alexandra Bougher with the group Moms for Liberty, told the outlet: 'Blaming parents for what a child does? They are their own person. 'Sure, the brain is not fully formed yet, but if they are getting the correct guidance, they should be making the right decisions, and they know the difference between right and wrong. 'And if they choose to do something wrong, that child should be held accountable for it, not the parent. 'I think if we start this, what does it open up? What else are we going to be at fault for? If a child gets in a car accident, is it my fault? I was at home.' Nicole Stouffer, founder of parental rights group 'The New Jersey Project', pointed to lax marijuana laws and changes in police policies. In a statement, the council said: 'By emphasizing parental accountability, the ordinance encourages guardians to be actively involved in guiding their children and preventing juvenile misconduct. 'This measure is part of the township's ongoing efforts to keep Gloucester Township safe and ensure it remains a community where residents and visitors can feel secure.'
4 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."
