Freehold Township, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Chapter 207, adopted in 1964, defines loitering simply as remaining idle or walking aimlessly about in essentially one location, and defines public place broadly to include streets, sidewalks, boardwalks, public buildings and grounds, the front or neighborhood of a store, restaurant or tavern, and parking lots or vacant private property not owned by or under the control of the person charged. Section 207-2 prohibits loitering in a public place in four specific ways: creating a danger of a breach of the peace, creating a disturbance or annoyance to anyone's comfort and repose, obstructing the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, or obstructing, molesting or interfering with anyone lawfully present, which the ordinance says includes making unsolicited offensive, disgusting or insulting remarks meant to annoy or disturb the listener.

Section 207-3 adds that throwing stones, snowballs or other objects at a person or vehicle is also a violation of the chapter. Critically, § 207-4 requires that a police officer first order a violator to move on before a violation can be charged; only a refusal to comply completes the offense. Section 207-5 extends liability to parents and guardians: a parent or guardian who knowingly permits a minor under 18 to loiter in violation of the chapter is separately in violation, the ranking police official or an officer designated by the Chief of Police must notify the parent when a minor is charged, and if the same minor violates the chapter again within 30 days of that notice, the parent is presumed, absent contrary evidence, to have known and permitted it.