Parents Face Prison For Their Child's Crimes Under New Gloucester Twp. Law

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Parents could face fines or prison time if they fail to stop their children from breaking the law in Gloucester Township.

The Township Council passed an ordinance Monday that creates new consequences for adults if their child creates a disturbance in public spaces.

The measure extends to parents, legal guardians or anyone else responsible for caring for the child in that moment. It only applies if the child is a minor.

The ordinance was crafted in response to incidents of youth creating public disturbances — an issue that's popped up at various gatherings throughout the state, including last year's Gloucester Township Day.

"We've seen that there have been incidents throughout South Jersey and throughout the state," Council President Orlando Mercado while introducing the ordinance earlier this month. "This is a proposal to try to curb that behavior and hold parents responsible."

The ordinance identifies 28 youth offenses that could leave their caretaker liable, including felonies and lesser offenses such as loitering, violating the township's curfew or habitually missing school.

Parents or caretakers could face penalties if their child is found guilty multiple times in juvenile court. Violators of the new ordinance, which takes effect immediately, face up to 90 days in prison and/or a maximum fine of $2,000.

The ordinance begins on Page 4 of the agenda for Monday's council meeting.