[Adopted 9-15-2015 by Ord. No. 15-08]
The purpose of this article is to provide administrative and
civil remedies against businesses that permit, allow, or fail to prevent
excessive calls for police service related to shoplifting and businesses
that habitually fail to file a criminal complaint against an alleged
shoplifter after making a call for police service, all of which compromise
the public health, safety, and welfare of the Township.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
BUSINESS
Any individual, sole proprietor, corporation, limited-liability
company, and any other type of business entity which engages in business
or commercial activities, including the sale of goods, within the
Township.
CALENDAR MONTH
The period which begins on the first day of one of the months
as named in the calendar and which ends on the last day of that same
month as named in the calendar.
COUNCIL
Township Council of the Township of Pohatcong.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
A complaint filed in municipal court by a witness to a shoplifting
event alleging a shoplifting event.
MANAGER
The individual or entity that is responsible for management
of a business as defined herein.
OWNER
The individual or entity which owns a business as defined
herein.
POLICE
Pohatcong Township Police Department.
SHOPLIFTING
Theft of merchandise or goods from a business as defined
herein.
SHOPLIFTING CALL
A call made to the police by a representative of a business
to report an incident, or suspected incident, of shoplifting.
TOWNSHIP
Township of Pohatcong, County of Warren, State of New Jersey.
Prior to the issuance of a police service cost invoice, the
Township shall provide the business owner with notice that the business
is approaching the threshold amount of shoplifting calls and/or shoplifting
calls which do not result in the filing of a criminal complaint which
will result in the business' responsibility for police service
costs.
Police service costs due in accordance with this article shall
be billed to the owner and/or manager with responsibility to manage
the business by the Township through a police service cost invoice
and shall be due and payable within 30 days of such billing.