Source: https://www.ecode360.com/35967893
Timestamp: 2020-07-05 12:47:44
Document Index: 393752445

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 94', '§ 94', '§ 94', '§ 94', '§ 94', '§ 94', '§ 94']

Township of West Deptford, NJ Graffiti
§ 94A-1 Findings, purpose.
§ 94A-2 Definitions.
§ 94A-3 Prohibited acts.
§ 94A-4 Parental responsibility.
§ 94A-5 Enforcement.
§ 94A-6 Violations and penalties.
§ 94A-7 Removal of graffiti.
Chapter 94A Graffiti
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of West Deptford 9-11-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Township Committee of West Deptford hereby finds and declares that graffiti is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community and that there is a perception in the community that the laws protecting public and private property can be disregarded with impunity. This perception fosters a sense of disrespect of the law that results in an increase of crime, is detrimental to the property values of the community, degrades the community, leads to urban blight, is inconsistent with the Township of West Deptford's property maintenance goals, aesthetic standards and to the public's health and welfare.
Any form of inscription, word, figure, symbol, marking or design that is etched, carved; scratched, drawn, marked or painted with any substance or method which defaces, obliterates, covers, alters, damages, marks or destroys any exposed surface which is visible from the private right-of-way of any public or private property, without the consent or authorization of the owner of the property, or the owner's authorized agent; or as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-24 or any successor statute. It shall not include any temporary easily removable chalk markings on the public sidewalk or street in connection with traditional children's games, or any temporary easily removable chalk markings in connection with any lawful business or public purpose or activity.
Any felt tip marker, china marker or similar device that contains a substance that is not water soluble and which has a writing surface 1/2 inch or greater.
Includes knowledge or information, which a parent should reasonably be expected to have pertaining to the markings of graffiti. It is intended to include and require parents to maintain a reasonable community standard of parental respectability through an objective test. There shall be no defense of a parent who is indifferent to the activities or conducts of a minor in their custody, not in compliance of this chapter.
The owner of record of the property as set forth in the records of the Tax Assessor for the Township of West Deptford.
Any person to whom legal custody of a minor has been given by Court Order is acting in the place of the parent or is responsible for the care and welfare of the minor and shall include:
The Township of West Deptford, New Jersey.
Any parent, as defined in Section 94A-2 of this chapter, in charge of a minor who is convicted of violating this chapter and who has failed or neglected to exercise reasonable supervision of said minor shall be presumed to have aided and assisted, allowed and/or permitted said minor in violation of this chapter.
Any parent, as defined in Section 94A-2 of this chapter, in charge of a minor who has failed or neglected to exercise reasonable supervision and control of the conduct of such minor, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-15, shall be liable in a civil action for any willful, knowing, malicious or unlawful injury, damage or destruction caused by said minor.
Any minor, as defined in Section 94A-2, found by a Law Enforcement Officer to be in violation of this chapter shall be brought to the West Deptford Township Police Station, where the minor shall be released to his or her parent or guardian. The parent, as defined in Section 94A-2, shall be immediately notified and required to report to West Deptford Township Police Station to procure the minor.
When the summoned parent responds to the West Deptford Township Police Station to take charge of the minor and the appropriate identifying information has been recorded, the minor shall be released to the custody of such parent, as defined in Section 94A-2. If the parent cannot be located or fails to take charge of the minor, then the minor shall be released to the juvenile authorities except to the extent that, in accordance with police regulations or procedures promulgated by the Chief of Police, approved in advance for juvenile authorities, the minor may temporarily be entrusted to an adult, relative, neighbor or other person who will, on behalf of the parent, assume responsibility for caring for the minor pending availability of the parent.
If the minor has been convicted of violating this chapter on a prior occasion, there shall be a presumption that, whenever a minor has been convicted for a violation of this chapter, the parent or guardian having care of the minor knew or should have known of the minor's violation, as set forth in Section 94A-4 and N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-15 or any successor statute.
Adults who are not parents of offenders as defined in Section 94A-2 of this chapter and who violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by one or more of the following penalties:
Should the graffiti have been found to cause fear of unlawful bodily violence or if the graffiti exposes another to threats of violence additional penalties may be imposed as set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-10.
Minors and/or parent violators as defined in Section 94A-5 of this chapter.
After the receipt of a warning notice pursuant to Section 94A-5C with a first violation by a minor and after a Station House Adjustment was executed, and if a second graffiti violation is adjudged against the same minor, the parents of the minor shall be subject to prosecution under this section as follows:
Parent violators having the care or custody of a minor found to be in violation of this section, if it is adjudged that both the minor and the minor's parents violated this Graffiti Chapter, they shall be required to perform community service together.
The minor as well as the parent, as defined in Section 94A-2, having the care and custody of the minor shall receive a summons and complaint for the violation of this chapter.
Any minor who violates any of the provisions of this Graffiti Chapter as contained in Section 94A-3 more than four times shall be reported by the Chief of Police to the juvenile authorities as a juvenile in need of supervision, and the Chief of Police, or his designee may proceed to file such charges with the Superior Court of New Jersey Family Part as he or she may deem appropriate.
By personal delivery or by certified mail and within 30 days of the date of the order any objection, or
By instituting a challenge before a court of competent jurisdiction within 60 days of the date of the order, or
If said graffiti is not removed within 90 business days after written notice is issued, unless an action challenging the order is still pending, the Chief of Police, his designee or the Township of West Deptford shall have the right to issue a summons and to enter the premises to remove the graffiti and put the premises in proper condition so as to comply with the requirements of this section. N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.59.
The cost of abating such nuisance, removing the graffiti shall be at the sole cost and expense of the property owner. The actual cost of the removing the graffiti, the cost of inspection and other costs incidental to such removal, shall be itemized and certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Township Committee and shall be forwarded by certified and regular mail to the property owner and/or agent for reimbursement.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48-2.12f or any successor statute the amount thereof shall be entered as a lien upon the real property. Said lien shall be added to and become a part of the taxes to be assessed against and levied on the real property and the same shall be collected and reinforced in the same manner as taxes.
If the Chief of Police or his designee determines that any graffiti is a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the public or may cause fear of unlawful bodily violence or which may expose another to threats of violence then the Chief of Police or his designee may request that the graffiti be removed within 48 hours of the notice.