Paterson, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Police Director-designated areas only
- Triggers arrest
- Failure to disperse or returning within 3 hours
- Max penalty
- $1,250 fine, 90 days jail
- Repeat offense
- Additional $1,250 fine within one year
Summary
Paterson bans criminal gang loitering in police-designated public areas, letting officers order suspected gang members to disperse or face arrest, with penalties up to $1,250 and 90 days in jail.
Whenever a police officer observes an individual whose actions or conduct gives the officer reasonable cause to believe that person is a member of a criminal street gang engaged in gang loitering with one or more persons in any public place designated under § 315-2 of this article, the police officer shall: inform all such persons that they are engaged in gang loitering within an area in which loitering by groups containing criminal street gang members is prohibited; order all such persons to disperse and remove themselves from the designated area...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 315, Article I lets the Police Director designate specific public areas where 'criminal gang loitering' is prohibited. Inside a designated zone, § 315-1 authorizes an officer who reasonably believes a person is loitering as part of a criminal street gang to order the group to disperse and warn that failing to leave, or returning within three hours, is arrestable. 'Gang loitering' is defined in § 315-3 as remaining in place under circumstances suggesting an intent to let a criminal street gang control an area, intimidate others or conceal illegal activity. This is not a general anti-loitering law: it applies only within Police Director-designated areas and only to suspected gang loitering.
Violations & Fines
Violating a dispersal order carries a fine up to $1,250, up to 90 days in county jail or 90 days of community service under § 315-4, plus an added fine of up to $1,250 for a repeat violation within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paterson have a general loitering ban for anyone standing around?
What must police do before ordering someone to disperse under this law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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