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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In response to a surge in juvenile crime along the Jersey Shore, the Margate City Police Department has announced a stringent new measure aimed at curbing unruly behavior among underage visitors, according to a report that appeared on Monday on the Fox News web site. This initiative comes after a series of troubling incidents, including a stabbing on the Ocean City boardwalk during Memorial Day weekend, which have prompted increased scrutiny and action from local authorities.
Starting last week, Margate City police officers will begin issuing citations to parents of unsupervised juveniles who are found engaging in unlawful behavior, jeopardizing their safety, or disobeying lawful commands from officers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m, as per the information provided in the Fox News report. This enforcement is part of a broader effort to ensure public safety and maintain order in this popular tourist destination.
According to the police department’s announcement, officers will have the authority to intervene and detain juveniles involved in these behaviors. The Fox News report indicated that the unsupervised minors will be brought to the police station, where their parents or guardians will be contacted to pick them up. Upon arrival, parents may be issued a summons, and the juveniles will face charges corresponding to their offenses.
The decision to enforce this ordinance more strictly follows several high-profile incidents of juvenile crime in the area.
In response to such violence and other problematic behaviors, neighboring cities have also implemented new restrictions. For instance, Fox News reported that Wildwood has banned backpacks on its beach and boardwalk from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. These measures reflect a concerted effort by shore towns to enhance security and mitigate risks associated with unsupervised juveniles.
The ordinance, officially titled “Ordinance 117-4 Parental Responsibility,” outlines specific penalties for parents or guardians who knowingly allow their minors to loiter or engage in unsupervised activities in public spaces between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The Fox News reported said that the ordinance applies to various public areas, including streets, parks, playgrounds, and places of entertainment.
In a recent Facebook post, the Margate City Police expressed their frustration and the necessity of this action: “We are pushed to our limit and… we are asking parents to be responsible for the actions of their underage and unsupervised children,” Fox News reported.
The police further explained that repeated calls for better parental supervision over the past few years have largely been ignored or met with limited success, the Fox News report added. This lack of compliance has led to the decision to enforce Ordinance 117-4 more strictly, aiming to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
Under the new enforcement strategy, Margate City police officers will intervene when they encounter unsupervised juveniles engaging in unlawful or risky behavior. The ordinance is clear in its intent to place the onus of responsibility on parents, encouraging them to supervise their children more closely and prevent them from becoming involved in activities that compromise public safety. Socially, it aims to foster a culture of responsibility and vigilance among families, ensuring that juveniles are properly supervised and guided.
The Margate City Police Department, along with other local authorities, will closely monitor the impact of this enforcement.
