Concerns Over Public Peeing Law Met, Exceptions Outlined For Those Who Can't Control Selves

Officials are trying for a second time to outline specific punishments for those committing public acts of urination—but this time, they are recognizing those who are mentally or physically unable to control themselves.

After originally voting down an ordinance in August to amend the township's code to add a list of nuisances concerning urination and defecation in public places, the Bridgewater Township Council agreed to introduce a new ordinance Thursday that acknowledges certain people lack the capabilities to control themselves.

This issue stopped the council from approving the amendment when it was first introduced. At the Aug. 2 council meeting, a resident recommended changes to the ordinance, such as a subsection detailing exceptions.

Council members agreed with the suggestion because they had similar concerns, and, in a 2-2 decision, they voted down the earlier ordinance.

The newly introduced ordinance outlines those exceptions.

"I want to express my appreciation for the exceptions," said Councilwoman Christine Henderson Rose. "It was a concern of mine that there should be exceptions."

In the newly introduced ordinance, a statement was added to say that the enforcement provisions of the ordinance will not be applied to people who cannot control their bodily functions.

These people, according to the ordinance, include children 9 years of age or younger, and those who have verified medical or psychiatric conditions.

Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden has said that the ordinance was first discussed about two years ago, when officers began noticing incidents of public urination during bicycle patrols. He said officers were seeing this problem as a quality of life issue, and they began looking at the township's definition of nuisances.

Borden worked on the ordinance with Township Attorney William Savo, looking at a list of specific nuisances that could be emphasized. In the end, they decided to focus on urination and defecation.

At the last public hearing for the ordinance, Borden said he would hope his officers would use discretion when making arrests, but the council decided it would instead like to see specific language relating to the exceptions.

"I appreciate these changes," said Councilman Allen Kurdyla.

A public hearing for the ordinance will be held Sept. 20.

Borden was unavailable for comment on the new ordinance.