NJ Lawmakers are Pushing for Parental Accountability: Phillipsburg Officials Discuss What’s Happening Locally

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - After a series of events stirred up violence at family events, some New Jersey lawmakers are seeking to enact laws that would hold their parents accountable for their rowdy teenager’s disruptive actions.

The bills were proposed by Assemblyman Dan Hutchison, D-Camden, as he and his colleagues became inspired to crack down on rowdy teen behavior down the shore. On Memorial Day 2024, news footage released videos of crowds running from fights and gunshots at Seaside Heights. This resulted in the borough implementing a 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

The two proposed bills were introduced on June 25, 2024, with Hutchison as the primary sponsor and Assemblyman William Spearman, D-Camden, as the co-sponsor.

Bill A4651 establishes penalties for certain conduct related to public brawl and disorderly conduct. Bill A4652 establishes the offense of inciting public brawl and upgrades the penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances.

What Does This Mean for Phillipsburg?

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

Among our 2024 readership survey, 100% of all responses said the one thing they’d like to read more of is local crime reports and arrests. It should be noted that the Town of Phillipsburg has a 10 p.m. curfew already in place for juveniles. People want to know, “Is anything being done about the out of control teens in Phillipsburg?”

TAPinto Phillipsburg took this opportunity to reach out to each member of the Phillipsburg Town Council in regard to proposing stricter policies on Phillipsburg teens and their families. At the time of this publication, TAPinto only received responses from Mayor Randy Piazza, Jr., Councilman Keith Kennedy, and Councilman Lee Clark.

“From the administration's perspective, we are currently very limited in the penalties we are allowed to levy while trying to enforce our laws,” explained Mayor Piazza. “I do think tougher laws and heavier fines at the state level will help us maintain law and order more effectively at the municipal level.”

“Since [some] parents are reluctant to discipline their kids and teach them right from wrong for acting out or disorderly behavior, then this is the answer,” explained Councilman Kennedy. “Hold parents accountable and then maybe they will discipline their children.”

Kennedy said although there is a 10 p.m. curfew in place, not all residents are happy with the enforcement. However, residents are encouraged to contact the Phillipsburg Police Department if they witness disorderly juveniles.

“In an ideal world, you would not need curfews, but that is the world we live in these days,” shared Kennedy. “If parents teach their kids right from wrong, discipline and respect, adhere to it and adhere to a curfew, then the parents don’t really have to worry.”

Councilman Clark agrees with the notion that parents should be held accountable for unruly teenagers. He has said that the town is receiving more and more complaints about teenagers, especially in the summer months.

“I do believe that parents need to be more involved in raising their children and being more active in their children’s lives,” said Clark. They do need to be held responsible to a certain extent of their actions, especially when it comes to public brawling.

Bill A4652 states that a fourth-degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine up to $10,000, or both.

“We shouldn’t be looking at throwing youth in prison for offenses. I believe these youths are in need of guidance, not jail time,” shared Clark.

Phillipsburg’s Rowdy Teenagers

On March 27, 2023, a joint effort by the Phillipsburg Police Department and the Phillipsburg School District led to nine juveniles being charged with one count each of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, both crimes of the third-degree.

The second incident on April 26, 2023, the Phillipsburg Police Department alleged that seven juveniles attacked a resident while walking home from school. Former Mayor Todd Tersigni wrote , “There has been an increase in unlawful behavior, both in the town and throughout the region. While Phillipsburg is not immune from this sort of behavior, it is also not unique in what it faces.” This led to charges of aggravated assault, and criminal restraint with the risk of serious bodily injury, all third-degree crimes to seven minors.

In 2023, the Phillipsburg School District released a statement on school safety and student fights. "Students that are involved in these types of altercations face stiff consequences that include lengthy suspensions from school and criminal charges when appropriate,” said Superintendent Greg Troxell, after relaying there has been an uptick in school fights and the middle and high school level.

Troxell said the district has worked diligently to eliminate fighting. However, he noted that the increase, “Demonstrates there is still more work to be done.”

What P’Burg Is Working On

In March 2024, Phillipsburg announced the implementation of shot spotter detection after receiving a grant for technology to combat gun violence.

Gunshot detection technology provides law enforcement with additional eyes and ears on the streets which can pinpoint the location of gun violence the moment a criminal pulls the trigger.

Less than two months later, authorities identified Javon Singletary, 18, of Phillipsburg, as a suspect in a case regarding a discharged gun . After a 911 call was received, the recently installed shot spotter technology had detected a single gunshot. Police immediately responded to the scene after the call and it was confirmed by technology.

Councilman Kennedy shared with TAPinto that the town is currently waiting on fiber optics to install more cameras around the town.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net