[1997 Code § 230-1]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
GRAFFITI
Any letters, numbers, word or words, writing, inscription,
symbol, drawing, carving, etching or any other marking of any nature
whatsoever which defaces, obliterates, covers, alters, damages or
destroys the real or personal property of another.
LOITERING
Being idle in essentially one location, including the concepts
of spending time idly, loafing or walking about aimlessly, and also
including the colloquial expression "hanging around."
PARENT or GUARDIAN
Any adult person having the care or custody of a minor, whether
by reason of blood relationship, order of any court or otherwise.
PUBLIC PLACE
Any place to which the public has access, including any street,
highway, road, alley or sidewalk. It shall also include the front
or the neighborhood of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other
place of business and public grounds, areas and parks, as well as
parking lots or other vacant private property not owned by or under
the control of the person charged with violating this chapter or,
in the case of a minor, not owned or under the control of his parent
or guardian.
[1997 Code § 230-2]
No person shall loiter in a public place in such a manner as
to:
A. Create or cause to be created a danger of a breach of the peace.
B. Create or cause to be created any disturbance or annoyance to the
comfort and repose of any person.
C. Obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles.
D. Obstruct, molest or interfere with any person lawfully in any public place as defined in Section
230-1. This subsection shall include the making of unsolicited remarks of an offensive, disgusting or insulting nature or which are calculated to annoy or disturb the person to whom, or in whose hearing, they are made.
[1997 Code § 230-3]
Whenever any Police Officer shall, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, decide that the presence of any person in any public place is causing or is likely to cause any of the conditions enumerated in Section
230-2, he may, if he deems it necessary for the preservation of the public peace and safety, order that person to leave that place. Any person who shall refuse to leave after being ordered to do so by a Police Officer shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
[1997 Code § 230-4]
No parent or guardian of a minor under 18 years of age shall
knowingly permit that minor to loiter in violation of this chapter.
[1997 Code § 230-5]
Whenever any minor under 18 years of age is charged with a violation
of this chapter, his parent or guardian shall be notified of this
fact by the Chief of Police or any other person designated by him
to give such notice.
[1997 Code § 230-6]
If at any time within 30 days following the giving of notice, as provided in Section
230-5, the minor to whom such notice relates again violates this chapter, it shall be presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary that the minor did so with the knowledge and permission of his parent or guardian.
[1997 Code § 230-7]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall,
upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment
not exceeding 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
[1997 Code § 230-8]
No person shall write, print or place with ink, paint or chalk
or other substances or otherwise mark, scratch, carve or etch graffiti
on real or personal property of another, whether said personal or
real property shall be publicly or privately owned, unless the owner
of said property shall have, prior to the writing, printing or placing
of graffiti, specifically consented to the same.
[1997 Code § 230-9]
If, at the time of the offense charged, any person shall be
under the age of 18, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court shall have
exclusive jurisdiction of the trial of such infant or infants, and
such infant or infants shall be surrendered to the Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court, and the case, including all papers and process thereto,
shall be transferred to said Court as provided in N.J.S.A. 2C:4-11.