New Jersey city cops to cite parents for kids' unruly behavior after spate of violence, 'civil unrest' in neighboring areas



A city along the South Jersey Shore has taken preemptive measures after teens in surrounding areas have engaged in "civil unrest" and even violence in recent weeks.

Last Wednesday, the Margate City Police Department announced that officers would be strictly enforcing a parental responsibility ordinance that allows cops to cite parents when their unsupervised children disturb the city's peace. According to the announcement, unaccompanied minors caught engaging in unlawful behavior, putting their safety at risk, or ignoring the commands of police officers will be taken to the station, where parents or guardians must come pick them up.

'These kids have little to no respect for anyone. No respect for themselves, no respect for their friends, and no respect for police, officials, [or] adults.'

The parental responsibility ordinance addresses misbehavior such as loitering, playing in vacant lots or wharves, or strolling down the street after curfew. The curfew extends from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

A parent or guardian's first proxy offense will result in a fine between $100 and $1,000 and/or up to 90 days of community service. In some cases, a judge may even sentence a parent and child to perform the community service together. The minor may also be criminally charged, if appropriate.

"We, and other police departments and public officials in the state, have asked parents to better supervise their children over the past few years. To date, those calls have been met with limited, or no, success leading us to take this action to ensure the safety of those in the community," MCPD wrote.

"We are pushed to our limit."

Neighboring areas have already suffered several instances of public unrest on account of unruly teens. Over Memorial Weekend, the City of Wildwood had to declare a temporary state of emergency after teens began participating in "numerous incidents of civil unrest," prompting Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. to ban backpacks and other large bags on the boardwalk and on beaches.

"These kids have little to no respect for anyone," Troiano said. "No respect for themselves, no respect for their friends, and no respect for police, officials, [or] adults — just a total lack of respect for any form of authority, and it's become an issue where we cannot enforce the laws."

That same weekend, a young person in nearby Ocean City was stabbed after a fight broke out among a large group of teenagers. Thankfully, the victim suffered only non-life-threatening injuries.

Following that incident, longtime Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan said: "Ocean City will always be welcoming to all guests, but I want to send a clear message to parents and to teens: 'If you don't want to behave, don't come.'"

Residents of Margate City are hopeful that enforcing the ordinance will help keep the peace in their city. "It might get some kids a little scared," one teen admitted. An area mom believes that parents will now "keep an eye on their kids."

"It's tough, but they have to."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Girls, 12 and 13, arrested for allegedly beating disabled man to death, walking away in a 'celebratory mood'



Three girls are accused of viciously beating a disabled man and leaving him for dead in an alley in Washington, D.C. last year. The trio allegedly walked away from the "horrific" beatdown in a "celebratory mood."

A 12-year-old girl and two 13-year-olds were arrested last week in connection with a deadly attack on a handicapped man on Oct. 17, 2023.

Prosecutors say there is graphic video of the young girls brutally attacking 64-year-old Reggie Brown.

The assault was initiated by an unknown man in his 20s, according to Detective Harry Singleton. The man reportedly grabbed Brown by the collar and threw him against a brick wall.

According to the New York Post, the girls were walking by at the time and one of them asked the man, "Can I fight him?” The man replied, "Yes."

The girls allegedly chased Brown down an alley. Brown tried to escape by climbing up a chain link fence, but the girls purportedly ripped him down and threw him to the ground.

The girls repeatedly kicked and stomped Brown in the head on the concrete, according to authorities. The girls reportedly pulled down Brown's pants, took off his belt, and then beat him with his own belt.

As Brown was bleeding profusely from his head, a girl allegedly yelled, "He's leaking!"

WRC-TV reported that the girls "appeared to be in a celebratory mood as they walked away."

A detective who watched the video called the attack "horrific."

Brown was found dead on the street around 1 a.m.

Law enforcement said Brown did not know his assailants.

Brown was allegedly a disabled man with a metal plate in his head and only two fingers on each hand. He also suffered from mental health issues.

Brown's family said he "never bothered anyone."

A family member told WJLA-TV:

Reggie was a person who stayed to himself. Never bothered anyone and was well known in the community as he grew up in the Brightwood neighborhood for 64 years. He was well respected in the Emery Recreation Center everyone knew him and that he was absolutely harmless.

Brown's niece said, "My uncle really didn’t deserve this. He was known in this community for years so for this to happen where he lived for 64 [years] is insane. They have to be held accountable!”

The Metropolitan Police Department announced a 13-year-old girl was arrested on Thursday and charged with second-degree murder. A 12-year-old and a 13-year-old were arrested on Friday, and they were both charged with second-degree murder.

Shortly before 4 a.m. on Friday, the 12-year-old was reportedly shot in her apartment – roughly a half-mile away from the deadly beating. The girl sustained a gunshot wound in the leg and was transported to the hospital. Her injuries are said to be non-life-threatening.

Police have not revealed if the gunfire came from inside or outside the apartment.

A spokesperson for the D.C. Attorney General stated, "Per D.C. law, children under 15 years of age cannot be charged as adults. The maximum sentence for juveniles who are not charged as adults is commitment to the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) until 21 years of age."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up!

Mother says her 12-year-old daughter who faces charges in the death of a DC man was shot in the leg www.youtube.com

Long Beach outlets forced to close early after flash mob of 200 juveniles gather at mall, brawl erupts, teen is shot



A California outlet mall was forced to close early on Saturday after a planned gathering of roughly 200 juveniles at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach resulted in a brawl and later a teen was shot.

Around 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, police officers observed a fight break out at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach.

The Long Beach Police Department had already deployed numerous officers to the outside mall in anticipation of a flash mob of minors that was allegedly organized on social media.

The Long Beach Police Department deployed additional officers to the area "to promote safety for all visitors and deter unlawful activity."

The fight between a female adult and female juvenile was reportedly pre-planned and promoted on social media, according to police.

Video shows the brawl erupts with a huge crowd of juveniles surrounding them, a significant number of the onlookers had their cell phones out to record the fight.

Law enforcement quickly intervened and arrested both of the fight participants

The Long Beach Police Department stated, "Businesses in the Pike chose to close early out of an abundance of caution."

The Pike Outlets closed around 6:00 p.m., and everyone, including shoppers, was asked to clear the area.

The police threatened to arrest anyone who remained on the mall property for trespassing after 10 minutes.

Nearly an hour after the fight, officers responded to reports of a shooting near the popular shopping center.

A teenage boy had suffered a gunshot wound to his lower body. He was rushed to a local hospital. He is said to be in stable condition.

Police did not say if the shooting had anything to do with the flash mob or the brawl.

The police said they will increase patrols near the outlet mall in an attempt to deter any more chaotic events.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Pike Outlets in Long Beach close early after fight breaks out; 2 arrested www.youtube.com