Whenever used or referred to in this chapter, the following
terms shall have the respective meanings for the purpose of this chapter,
unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
LOITER
To stand idle, to move slowly about in a small area, to dawdle,
to lounge, to hang around, to linger idly or aimlessly, or any combination
of them.
PUBLIC PLACE
Every publicly owned building, park, playground and other
places of general public gathering, congregation or use.
PUBLIC STREET
Every highway, road, alley or other way that is open to the
use of the public for vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
QUASI-PUBLIC PLACE
Every privately owned building or other place of public accommodation
or use, or building or other place open to the general public, and
all vacant lots or other unsupervised areas within the limits of the
Borough not readily under the control or supervision of the owner.
Upon the first violation of this chapter by a minor not attaining
the age of 18 years, the apprehending officer or official shall first
proceed to take the minor into protective custody and make a complete
record of the circumstances under which said minor was first seen
or discovered in the apparent violation of this chapter. Said minor
shall be released in the custody of said minor's custodian or
shall be returned to his or her home or place of residence, and the
custodian of such minor shall be informed of the violation of this
chapter. The Police Department shall subsequently send a notice by
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the custodian of such
minor charged with a violation of this chapter. Such notice shall
contain all the pertinent facts and circumstances of the violation
and of the possible penalties and future proceedings that may result
from additional violations.
Upon a subsequent violation of this chapter by a minor under
the age of 18, a written complaint against said minor shall be filed
with the Municipal Court and shall be prosecuted there.
In conjunction with §
179-5 above, the custodian of said minor shall be summoned to appear before the Municipal Court of the Borough of Bellmawr for violating the provisions of §
179-7 of this chapter.
It shall be unlawful for the parent or parents, guardian or
other adult person having the care and custody of a minor under the
age of 18 years to knowingly permit such minor to violate this chapter.
If it is established that any minor under the age of 18 years violated
this chapter more than once, then it shall be presumed, in the absence
of proof to the contrary, that the parents, guardian or other adult
person having the care and custody of such minor knowingly permitted
such minor to do so.
All officers or officials charged with law enforcement within
said Borough are hereby authorized, empowered and directed to enforce
the provisions of this chapter.
Upon a determination of a violation of this chapter, the Municipal
Court shall impose a sentence of community service and a fine of up
to $1,000. If both a minor and the minor's parent or guardian
violate this chapter, they shall be required to perform community
service together.
Notice of the existence of this chapter and the curfew regulations
established by it shall be posted in or at such public or quasi-public
places as may be determined by the Chief of Police, in order that
the public may be constantly informed of the existence of this chapter
and its regulations.