NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Monroe Township has updated its juvenile curfew and enhanced parental responsibility standards to hold parents accountable when their children repeatedly cause trouble.
Under the ordinance, if a minor is arrested and found guilty in juvenile court, parents will be summoned and given a warning; if it happens again, the parents could face charges as well.
“I know some people may be opposed and say, ‘Well, you know, parents can't always know where their kids are.’ Well, they should know where their kids are. That's part of being a parent, and knowing what they're doing,” said Mayor Gregory A. Wolfe, who approved the amendment.
Penalties for repeat offenders include fines of up to $2,000, up to 90 days in jail, or joint community service.
“Unfortunately, we seem to live in a world today that simply lacks any respect for anything or anyone, for that matter, you know, we have children out in public, creating issues, creating chaos, with really little or no consequences at all,” Wolfe said.
The ordinance also prohibits minors from being in public places, including streets, parks and shopping areas, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. On Halloween, the curfew begins at 8 p.m. Exceptions are for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, those engaged in lawful employment, those attending supervised school or religious activities, and those responding to medical emergencies.
Wolfe said this is a preventive measure, as the township puts on several large-scale events throughout the year and wants to avoid issues.
Last year, officials canceled the popular Gloucester Township Day festival following social media threats of violence. In 2024, a dozen people were arrested at the festival after several fights broke out. And in April of last year, a large group of rowdy teenagers damaged and jumped on cars in Burlington County.
“That community had a very unfortunate situation at one of the events that they had hosted that erupted into chaos with juveniles, creating many different safety concerns,” Wolfe said.