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Under a new ordinance in a New Jersey town, parents can be fined and even charged for their children’s unruly behavior.
The Township of Gloucester Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance stipulates consequences, including jail time, for parents and guardians who “fail to prevent their children from breaking the law,” according to a news release from police.
The ordinance was passed by the Township Council July 28 and was introduced after incidents of public disturbance involving kids at events like last year’s Gloucester Township Day and Drone Show.
“If a child is repeatedly found guilty in juvenile court, their caretaker could face up to 90 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,000,” the department said.
Guardians will be issued a warning before a citation, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said, according to NewJersey.com.

Guardians will be issued a warning before a citation, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said. (Gloucester Township Police Department)
“Our ordinance was actually sampled from other towns,” he explained. “We’re not necessarily the first, but we’re probably the first bigger town to adopt it.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Gloucester Township Police Department for comment.
Gloucester Township is about 15 miles from Philadelphia.