Phillipsburg Officials to Consider Parental Responsibility Ordinance for Juvenile Offenses at Town Council Meeting

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - Phillipsburg officials are set to consider an ordinance that could hold parents and guardians responsible in certain cases when their minor children commit offenses in town. The Phillipsburg Town Council is scheduled to introduce Ordinance 2026-26 on first reading Sept. 8. The measure would create a new section of the town code titled 'Minors and Parental Responsibility.' Under the proposal, it would be unlawful for a parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child under 18 to encourage, contribute to, or cause a minor to violate the ordinance through an act, failure to act, or lack of supervision and control. What Offenses Would Be Covered? The ordinance would cover a broad range of offenses committed by minors, including violations of state law and municipal ordinances, disorderly conduct, drug offenses, graffiti, destruction of property, assault and battery, littering, damage to playground equipment and public parks, public intoxication, consumption of alcohol on public property, and indecent exposure. The proposal would also apply to motor vehicle violations involving the operation or use of a vehicle under New Jersey's Title 39, although parking violations are specifically excluded. Other conduct listed in the ordinance includes knowingly visiting gambling establishments or other places where a minor's admission would violate the law, as well as conduct that endangers the minor's morals, health, or general welfare. The ordinance is not limited to the offenses specifically listed. It states that violations of any penal law or municipal ordinance could fall under its provisions and also lists a lack of supervision by a parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a minor among the covered offenses. What Could Happen to Parents or Guardians? Under the proposed ordinance, when a minor is found guilty of an offense covered by the measure, a parent or guardian could be summoned to Phillipsburg Municipal Court and ordered to provide supervision of the child. If the parent or guardian fails to provide that supervision and a second offense occurs, the adult could then be subject to penalties. Anyone convicted of violating the proposed chapter could face penalties available under New Jersey law and Phillipsburg's municipal code at the discretion of a municipal court judge. The ordinance also states that each day a violation occurs would be considered a separate offense. Police Address Juvenile Justice Process The proposal comes as the Phillipsburg Police Department has publicly addressed concerns over juvenile-related incidents in the community. In a Sept. 5 statement, police said Phillipsburg continues to deal with incidents involving juveniles, including property crimes, vehicle-related offenses, disorderly conduct, and other delinquency matters. The department acknowledged that residents may become frustrated when they see continued juvenile activity and question what happens after police become involved. Police explained that while officers investigate incidents, gather evidence, file charges, and take enforcement action when legally permitted, they do not independently determine whether a juvenile remains in secure detention while a case proceeds. Those decisions are governed by New Jersey law and the Family Court, which considers factors including the current offense, the juvenile's age, prior juvenile court history, ties to the community, and history of appearing for court proceedings. Police also emphasized that the release of a juvenile pending further proceedings does not mean charges have been dismissed or that the juvenile will not be held accountable through the juvenile justice system. Previous Discussions The proposed ordinance follows discussions by the Town Council earlier this year over ways to address juvenile behavior and property damage in Phillipsburg. As previously reported by TAPinto Phillipsburg, council members directed Town Attorney Rich Wenner in August to prepare a parental responsibility ordinance for consideration. The town first considered the idea in 2024. At the time, Wenner questioned whether an ordinance modeled after measures adopted in other New Jersey municipalities would withstand a constitutional challenge. According to Wenner, that changed after legislation was signed into law in January, giving municipalities a clearer mechanism to hold parents or guardians accountable under certain circumstances. Wenner previously told council the state law applies when a parent or guardian is found to have been 'wantonly and willfully negligent' in supervising a minor. Resident Bill Timmann had also been pushing the council for approximately three months to reconsider a parental responsibility measure. If Ordinance 2026-26 is approved on first reading Sept. 8, a public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Phillipsburg Housing Authority EnVision Center Community Room, 535 Fisher Ave.