Parents in Clark push back on curfew for teens
Police in Clark are proposing a curfew to keep kids under 18 off the street after 11 p.m. However, at last night's council meeting, members of the public said they feared the curfew will be used by police to indiscriminately stop people.
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Does Clark Township need a curfew for kids under 18?
A new ordinance has been proposed by police to keep kids off the streets after 11 p.m. However, at last night's council meeting, some parents were pushing back and asking the council and police department to show data that the ordinance is needed.
Those against it fear the curfew could be used by police officers to randomly stop people, especially those who may look young. Or police may target a teen who is simply walking home late from a friend’s house.
"My son walking home from a friends house who perhaps at 16 years old are watching wrestling and it ends late and they’re walking a couple of home, it doesn’t seem like something we need to worry about," said Anthony DiGrigorio.
He wants police to focus on more pressing issues, noting that his wife no longer goes to the Target or Shop Rite at night because she's often approached by people at the entrances asking for money.
"I’ve seen homeless sleeping on the park bench at the bank of America and in the alley by the post office. I’ve been approved and asked for money at the exit of 135," said DiGrigorio.
As proposed the curfew would keep those under the age of 18 from being in parks, sidewalks or shopping plazas from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Police could issue a warning or even a summons and community service in severe cases.
While members of the public had a chance to speak last night, Clark council members did not weigh-in on the proposed curfew, rather they tabled the issue until the next meeting.
News 12 New Jersey has reached out to the Clark Police Department for more information on why leadership wants the curfew.
