NJ town to penalize parents for their kids' crimes - including possible jail time

It's rampant. It's had its highs and lows since I've lived here. The kids have no respect anymore. Phillipsburg residents say youth crime is a disturbance around town. Kids throwing rocks at a house. Kicking in doors where they shouldn't. Up-dumping garbage cans. A group of juveniles were walking down the middle of the street in front of my car and would not get out of the way. Phillipsburg police say they can take a child into custody, but the courts decide on detention or release. The town council is adding a step to the process. First, the parent goes to court with the child and is ordered to provide supervision. If there's a second time, the parent is also responsible. Well, if they're doing it again, then something's got to be done to... The maximum penalties for parents include $2,000 in fines, 90 days community service or even 90 days of jail time, as written in the statute. But town officials say it's not about penalizing the parents. It's more so having a deterrent for the kids and encouraging these conversations to happen at home. Parents will do what parents are supposed to do and we won't have to enforce an ordinance, but it's there in case we need it. We asked, what is causing the reported increase in juvenile crime? There is nothing for the kids to do. The movie theater closed down. The bowling alley closed down. A lot of parents are working extra jobs and so forth, and maybe they're not around as much for the kids. Thank you. But still, that doesn't excuse the bad behavior. Gloucester Township has a similar ordinance. Former Governor Murphy signed a state law in January that holds parents liable when their kids incite public brawls. It's about time. I think every town should have it. In Phillipsburg, Tom Krasnowski, News 12, New Jersey.