Misbehavior Will Get You a $2,000 Fine and More from the City on LepreCon

From the City of Hoboken

The first Saturday in March marks the traditional start of the St. Patrick’s Day season in Hoboken, which in recent years has coincided with escalating public safety and quality of life impacts on the community, including reported sexual assaults, attacks on public safety officials, and significant damage to private property. Because of this, the City this year required that the St. Patrick’s Day parade be held on a Wednesday. Although the parade was ultimately cancelled, the City has been preparing for thousands of visitors this weekend.

All Hoboken Police officers will be on duty in addition to more than 140 officers from neighboring jurisdictions to help ensure a safe and orderly day is enjoyed by all. The City thanks the Hudson County Prosecutor Edward De Fazio and his command staff, along with Hudson County Sherriff Frank Schillari and members of his office, and the Police Departments from Jersey City, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, North Bergen, Bayonne, Secaucus, Harrison, and Kearny for their support and assistance. The Port Authority, NJ TRANSIT, and Stevens Institute of Technology police departments will all have an increased presence as well.

The City thanks the bars and restaurants who are voluntarily delaying their opening until 11am in the interest of public safety.

Residents are reminded that they remain the “eyes and ears” of the City’s public safety efforts and are asked to call the Hoboken Police Department at 201-420-2100 with any concerns. In past years, house parties have been the cause of significant quality of life issues including private property damage. Residents are asked to notify authorities as early as possible if they believe that a house party is not fully under control. Control issues including overcrowding, unreasonably reckless, disorderly or unsafe behaviors constitute a violation of City Ordinance 145-18 (Disorderly House), and the renter or owner of the apartment or house may face up to a $2,000 fine plus community service. 

Unless a property is specifically zoned and approved for rooftop access, there is an absolute restriction on parties or gatherings on rooftops. Sitting or loitering on fire escapes, common hallways, or stairwells is also strictly prohibited. The Fire Department will be conducting occupancy inspections at businesses and private residences throughout the city and will strictly enforce all codes for the use of rooftops and other structures with a zero tolerance policy. 

Porta-Johns

The City will be placing 60 porta-johns throughout Hoboken, 50% more than in past years. The City thanks the hospitality industry for continuing to assist in funding this amenity.

Taxi & Traffic Information

The taxi stand will be relocated from Hudson Place to Vezzetti Way between Washington Street and Willow Avenue.

The crane being used for the demolition of the building at 300 Washington Street will be temporarily relocated and Washington Street will be temporarily re-opened to vehicular traffic for the weekend. NJ TRANSIT buses will continue along their detoured routes on Hudson Street and Bloomfield Street during this time. Washington Street will again be closed on Monday so that demolition work can resume. The City is exploring the possibility of re-opening northbound traffic on Washington Street.

Parking Restrictions

No parking will be permitted on the following streets from: 6am to midnight on Saturday, March 3:

• Vezzetti Way (both sides) from Washington Street to Willow Avenue
• Park Avenue (west side) from Observer Highway to Fourth Street

• Fourth Street (south side) from Hudson Street to Willow Avenue
• Hudson Place (north side)
• Hudson Street (both sides) from First Street to Second Street
• Clinton Street (both sides) from Seventh Street to Eighth Street

Zero Tolerance Policy

As in recent years, a zero tolerance policy for all quality of life infractions will be in effect with fines up to $2,000 plus community service. The following are among the more common violations for which there where there will be a zero tolerance policy in effect:

1) 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.

2) 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. 

3) City Ordinance 145-18 (Disorderly House)- House parties have become the largest problem. In past years, most of the calls the Police Department responded to were for disorderly house parties. This year, when a party is deemed to be overcrowded, unreasonably reckless, disorderly or unsafe, the renter or owner of the apartment or house will be charged with violating 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 a hazardous or reckless condition exists. The maximum penalties for this violation is a fine of up to $2,000 and the possibility of having to perform Community Service.

4) 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.