Recent Law Changes

As part of Lacey Township’s continuing effort to better protect and serve the public and limit the likelihood of victimization through burglaries and thefts, the township committee enacted a new ordinance related to pawn shops and precious metal dealers. Ordinance §161-1 et seq. now requires that local shops that purchase pawned property or precious metals participate in an online system of immediately logging all items purchased by the shops for immediate access and inspection by [...]

New Jersey enacted a law under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-30 which provides immunity from arrest, charge, prosecution, and conviction for any person who seeks medical attention for another who has overdosed on a controlled dangerous substance. The person who overdosed is also provided immunity as well. A similar law exists under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15(f) for persons under 21 years of age who call 911 to seek medical assistance for another person under 21 years of age who has become overly intoxicated. Likewise, the person who [...]

The Township of Lacey now has an ordinance specifically prohibiting the possession of a burning cigarette or other tobacco product while on the property of a Township owned facility. Under state law, it has been unlawful for years to smoke in public buildings. This new ordinance now includes a prohibition on smoking on the property outside the buildings.  The ordinance may be found under Section 288 of the Township Code.  

The Township of Lacey now has an ordinance specifically prohibiting the possession or consumption of an alcoholic beverage by persons under the legal age of twenty-one while on “private property.” It has always been unlawful for an underage person to consume alcoholic beverages on “public property” under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15. This new ordinance fills the void left in the state law by prohibiting underage possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in a private residence. The limited [...]

The State of New Jersey passed a law strengthening the requirement for motorists to yield to pedestrians who enter either a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk (at an intersection). The new law requires the motorist to come to a safe stop and remain stopped while the pedestrian crosses. Pedestrians must not enter a crosswalk unless the vehicles approaching are at far enough distance to stop safely. The law (R.S. 39:4-36) was passed to curb the increasing [...]

The State of New Jersey recently passed a law which states that an operator of a motor vehicle has a legal duty to make all reasonable efforts to remove accumulated ice or snow from exposed surfaces prior to operating a motor vehicle. “Surfaces” include, but are not limited to, the hood, trunk, windshield, windows, and roof of the motor vehicle (or a trailer being drawn by a motor vehicle). Violators are subject to a fine [...]

On November 2, 2007, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law the revision to the statute regulating the use of a cell phone while operating a moving vehicle. The revision makes the violation a “primary offense” for which an officer may stop and summons a motorist for speaking on a cell phone (other than hands-free) or text messaging while operating a moving vehicle (read the statute below for the limited exceptions). The law exempts law [...]

The Lacey Township Police Department would like to remind all parents that effective March 1, 2006, New Jersey’s Bicycle Helmet Law has changed. All young people under the age of 17 are now required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding. The law previously affected riders under the age of 14. Each year, bicyclists are killed or injured in New Jersey due to bicycle crashes. Many bicycle deaths result [...]

(1) No person shall park a truck, tractor, trailer, recreational vehicle, camper, boat or omnibus with a gross vehicle weight over 15,000 pounds on any street, or any part of a street, in the Township of Lacey. In addition, no person shall park a trailer on any street, or part of any street, in the Township of Lacey under any circumstances if it is unattached or not connected to a towing vehicle by at least [...]

(1) No person shall operate a motorized scooter upon any public street, highway or sidewalk. (2) Except as otherwise provided in section 4 of P.L.2005, c.159 (C.39:4-14.14), no person shall operate a motorized scooter upon any public property or lands. (3) No person shall operate a motorized scooter on the property of another without the consent of the owner of that property or the person who has a contractual right to the use of that [...]