The following definitions, as used in this chapter, apply:
GUARDIAN
A person, other than a parent, to whom legal custody of the juvenile
has been given by court order or who is acting in the place of the parent
or is responsible for the care and welfare of the juvenile.
JUVENILE
An individual who is under the age of 18 years.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any place to which the public has access, including but not limited
to a public street, road, thoroughfare, sidewalk, bridge, alley, plaza, park,
recreation or shopping area, public transportation facility, vehicle used
for public transportation, parking lot or any other public building, structure
or area.
It shall be and is hereby declared to be unlawful for any minor under
the age of 17 years to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in or upon the
public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, wharves, docks
or other public grounds, public places and public buildings, vacant lots,
any automobile or vehicle or other unsupervised places between the hours of
10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day. The provisions of this section
shall not apply to a minor accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or other
adult person having the care and custody of said minor, where the minor is
upon an emergency errand or legitimate business directed by his or her parent,
guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of said minor or
where said minor is engaged in gainful employment.
It shall be unlawful for the parent, guardian or other adult person
having the care and custody of a minor under the age of 17 years to knowingly
permit such minor to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in or upon the public
streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds, wharves, docks or other
public grounds, public places and public buildings, places of amusement and
entertainment, vacant lots or any automobile or vehicle or other unsupervised
places, as aforesaid, in the City of Margate City, Atlantic County, New Jersey,
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day. The provisions
of this section do not apply when said minor is accompanied by his or her
parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the
minor, where the minor is upon an emergency errand or legitimate business
directed or authorized by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person
having the care and custody of said minor or where said minor is engaged in
gainful employment.
For a first violation of this offense, a person may be subject to a
fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 and/or up to 90 days of
community service, in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge. For a second
or subsequent offense, a person who violates this chapter may be subject to
a fine of up to $1,000 and/or community service of up to 90 days, in the discretion
of the Municipal Court Judge. If both a juvenile and a juvenile's parents
or guardian violate this chapter, they may be required to perform community
service together.
The Chief of Police shall have the power to waive the time requirements
of this chapter at any time due to existing conditions.