Newark Will Enforce Youth Curfew For Halloween 2018 – Newark, NJ Patch

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police will be enforcing the city’s youth curfew law for Halloween on Wednesday, Oct. 31, authorities said.

The municipal law prohibits unaccompanied minors under age 18 from traveling more than 100 yards from their home between the overnight hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Any juvenile found to be in violation of the ordinance will be issued a written warning that will be kept on file with Newark police for six months. A second infraction during that period will result in the arrest of the juvenile. If within six months from the second infraction the juvenile is found in violation of the ordinance, the juvenile and the parent or guardian will be summonsed to appear in court before a judge.

Fines can range from $100 to $1,000, police stated.

Curfew laws have existed – and been enforced – in Newark for decades. Other Essex County towns with youth curfew laws include Cedar Grove, East Orange and Irvington.

“Halloween is a special time for many Newark children, and the police division will work diligently to ensure that all of our trick-or-treaters participate wisely,” said Newark Police Chief Darnell Henry. “With the added support of our community members, our children will enjoy a safe Halloween.”

“Children should be accompanied and closely monitored by a parent or a responsible adult on Halloween and at all times,” Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “We will ensure an ample police presence to abate any safety issues that may arise. Just be aware that officers will also be enforcing the city’s curfew ordinance.”

Newark police offered the following Halloween safety tips:

• Children under 12 years of age should always be accompanied by an adult.
• Do not use open flame candles in jack-o-lanterns. Commercially available battery-powered lights are much safer and do not pose a fire hazard.
• Children should be supervised when pumpkin carving.
• Do not hand out homemade or unwrapped candies to children.
• Parents should plan a route for their child to use for trick-or-treating and set an early time for their child to return home.
• To welcome trick-or-treaters, switch on porch lights or any exterior lights.

Parents and guardians should remind young trick-or-treaters of the following tips, Newark police said:

• Do not go inside anyone’s house. Remain on the stoop or porch at all times.
• Do not go into a stranger’s automobile.
• Do not take shortcuts through backyards, alleys, or parks.
• Walk, don’t run, when crossing the street. Be sure to look both ways. Do not cross in between cars.
• Always use the sidewalk.
• Trick-or-treat on well-lit streets within your neighborhood and always travel in a group.
• Use the buddy system, and make sure you have at least one buddy with you the entire evening.
• When you return home, have an adult examine and discard all candies that are not factory sealed or wrapped by the candy manufacturer. Never eat homemade or unwrapped treats. Never accept candy from strangers.
• Carry a cell phone or spare change to call home in case of an emergency.
• Call 911 in the event of an emergency.

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