Lakewood, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

1 defines loitering as "remaining idle in essentially one location" including "spending time idly, loafing or walking about aimlessly" and "hanging around," and defines a public place broadly to include streets, sidewalks, store fronts, parks and even vacant private property not controlled by the person charged. 2 makes it unlawful to loiter in a way that creates a danger of a breach of the peace, obstructs the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, creates a disturbance or annoyance to others' comfort, or obstructs, molests or interferes with anyone lawfully present, including unsolicited offensive or insulting remarks.

3, a Lakewood Township police officer who reasonably judges that a person's presence is causing or likely to cause any of those conditions may order the person to leave; refusing that order is itself a separate offense. 5 requires the Chief of Police to notify the parent or guardian when a minor is charged. 6 creates a rebuttable presumption that a second violation by the same minor within 30 days of that notice occurred with the parent's knowledge and permission, shifting the burden onto the family to rebut it.

1: up to 90 days in the Ocean County Jail, a fine up to $1,000, or up to 90 days of community service, in the Municipal Court's discretion.