In a message released to residents of Hopewell Valley, police administration said that one aspect not expected under the new laws signed on Feb. 22 had been the prohibiting of police departments to notify parents or guardians, if young people under 21 years old are found to possess marijuana or alcoholic beverages as a first offense.
“This new law forbids officers to contact a parent or guardian. Our only action that will be taken will be to issue a written warning, which will not be provided to the individual’s parent or guardian,” the police department statement said in its March 3 statement. “After reviewing the new policy, what presents itself as most problematic to the police department, is our inability to freely communicate with parents. We believe parents deserve and need to know when their children are in potentially dangerous situations.”
Under the new laws, police can only contact and notify parents or guardians on the second or subsequent offense.
“Unless the child chooses to share this information, parents will be left in the dark. We see these laws as not only counterproductive but also as a detriment to the safety of our children,” the statement said. “Our police department has always sought the implementation of non-punitive measures for the majority of juvenile offenses including underage alcohol or marijuana possession or consumption. Formal charges have always been a last resort.”