The township council said the measure, which covers 28 offenses, will hold parents accountable for crimes ranging from skipping school and loitering to drunkenness…
NEW JERSEY — Parents in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, now face fines of up to $2,000 or 90 days in jail if their children under 18 break the law, under a new ordinance aimed at curbing juvenile crime.
The township council said the measure, which covers 28 offenses, will hold parents accountable for crimes ranging from skipping school and loitering to drunkenness, gambling, property destruction, and even felonies. Repeat offenders’ parents could face harsher penalties.
The law follows a massive brawl at a community drone show last year, where 11 people, including nine teenagers, were arrested and three police officers injured.
“The lawlessness of groups of unsupervised juveniles and young people acting with total disregard for others ruined a great family-oriented event,” said Police Chief David Harkins, adding that such behavior “will not be tolerated.”
State police unions have also backed tougher accountability measures, citing rising juvenile violence at public events.