Dear Editor:
An open letter to residents and visitors of Hoboken:
On Saturday, March 5, the City of Hoboken will be hosting the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade is very popular and draws tens of thousands of people to our city. At times, some of our residents and guests become disorderly and unruly, making it a difficult day for our residents who do not celebrate the day. In order to keep our city under control and create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, I will have most of my officers working on that day, out on our streets, on patrol. My officers will be strictly enforcing all criminal and motor vehicle laws as well as all city ordinance violations. The following are four violations where there will be a zero tolerance policy in effect for the day:
City Ordinance 145-23 A/B (Consumption of Alcohol/Open Container in Public) Any person seen possessing an open container of alcohol in public faces maximum penalties of a fine up to $2,000, and the possible sentence of having to perform Community Service.
City Ordinance 145-22 (Urinating in Public) Any person observed urinating on public streets, sidewalks or in parks faces maximum penalties of a fine up to $2,000, and the possible sentence of having to perform Community Service.
City Ordinance 145-18 (Disorderly House) House parties have become our largest problem on the parade day. Last year my officers responded to 533 calls for service, with most of those calls being disorderly house parties. This year, when a party is deemed to be unreasonably reckless, disorderly and unsafe, the renter or owner of the apartment or house will be charged with this ordinance. Along with the issuing of the summons, the Hoboken Police Department will shut the party down and clear out the apartment or house if it is determined that it is a hazardous or reckless condition. The maximum penalties for this violation are a fine of up to $2,000 and the possibility of having to perform Community Service.
New Jersey State Statute 2C: 33-2a (Disorderly Conduct, Improper Behavior) A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if “with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he, 1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior, or 2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.” This offense carries maximum penalties of a 30 day prison term and a fine not to exceed $500.
I ask all the residents and guests of our city to please be considerate to everyone on this day, and to inform all family and friends to act respectful and orderly. Once again, we want this to be an enjoyable, but more importantly, safe day. The Hoboken Police Department will do everything within their powers to keep it as such.
Finally, Do Not Drink and Drive. You may injure yourself or others, and if caught, you will be arrested.
Sincerely,
Chief Anthony P. Falco, Sr.