The Council of the Borough of Westwood does significantly find
that far too many minors are contributing breaches of the public peace,
which, in significant part, is occasioned by a lack of responsibility
on the part of the parents of some minors. Although the existing statutes
do afford a means to alert parents to their responsibilities to both
the minor and society in general, it is considered the opinion and
legislative judgment of the Council of the Borough of Westwood that
further legislation is necessary to encourage greater parental concern
and responsibility and to fill the void where traditional parental
control is inadequate. This chapter, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-1,
is intended to fill this void.
[Amended 8-19-2003 by Ord. No. 03-12]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
MINOR
Any unemancipated person under the age of 18 years.
PARENT
Either or both natural parents of a minor, the legal guardian(s)
of such minor, or any other adult persons who have voluntarily or
otherwise assumed the responsibilities of a natural parent with respect
to custody, care and control of the minor. For the purposes of this
chapter, the term "parent" shall not include parents, legal guardians
or other persons whose responsibility for the custody and control
of such minor has been transferred to another person or otherwise
terminated by court order or by the emancipation of the minor by marriage,
military service or other circumstances. Persons claiming the benefit
of any such termination or transfer of responsibilities shall bear
the burden of establishing the same in any proceeding brought pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter.
VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC PEACE
Includes any of the following acts: defacing, damaging or
destroying public property or the private property of another.
Any parent who shall violate the terms of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subject to punishment by a fine not to
exceed $500 or 30 days in the Bergen County Jail, or both, in the
discretion of the court.
The remedy provisions of this chapter shall not be exclusive,
and the state or any other person shall have the right to proceed
under any other legally available remedies.