MARGATE, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Police in Margate say they’ll be enforcing an ordinance this summer that states a summons can be issued to a parent or guardian of unruly teenagers.
The summer season has only just begun, and already a few towns across the region have had to deal with rowdy crowds. Specifically down the Shore, teenagers have been involved in some isolated incidents. It has elected officials and law enforcement leaders on guard.
Over Memorial Day weekend, a 15-year-old from another town was stabbed in Ocean City and had non-life threatening injuries.
Wildwood Police also had to shut down the boardwalk for a few hours during the holiday weekend, after they got call after call on large gatherings of unsupervised teens.
The Margate City Police Department says, in order to prevent similar situations from happening, they’ll be enforcing a city ordinance that looks to parents and guardians who knowingly leaves juveniles unsupervised.
According to a post on Facebook, the Department says between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., if any minor under the age of 17 is unattended and doing something dangerous or unlawful, they’ll be taken to the police station. An adult will be contacted to pick them up and, officials say, a summons will be issued.
Per the ordinance, the first violation could result in a fine of between $100 and $1,000 or as many and 90 days of community service.