BY LAYLI WHYTE
Staff Writer

RED BANK — The signs of spring are evident in the borough: flowers in bloom, warmer days and a list of dos and don’ts from the borough police department.

The Red Bank Police Department (RBPD) has issued its annual reminder of rules and regulations in the borough to make the summer a safe time for residents.

According to a press release from Police Chief Mark Fitzgerald, pedestrians are reminded to walk within the crosswalks and not to dart into the street from behind parked cars.

The borough will also be launching several law enforcement initiatives to deal with specific problems, like pedestrians crossing the street outside of designated crosswalks.

“The Pedestrian Program will target violators of crosswalks and those jaywalking,” according to a press release from the department.

Motorists are reminded to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks and to wear their seatbelts.

The “Click It or Ticket” program, which was in effect last year, will target those not wearing seatbelts.

Those in the borough that choose a meter-free mode of transportation, are reminded that skateboarding and rollerblading are prohibited on certain streets.

These streets include the downtown area, all major thoroughfares, parks, parking lots and “any public or quasi-public place.”

According to Lt. Steve McCarthy, sidewalks and parking lots would be considered “quasi-public” places.

“Skateboarding is not illegal on all streets though,” McCarthy said.

He said that on a slower, more out-of-the-way street, like Marion Street, skateboarding would be permitted.

“Go-peds, motorized scooters and minimotorcycles may not be operated on any public road, sidewalk, or park,” according to the press release.

A curfew will also be in effect from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from midnight to 6 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, for all persons under the age of 18.

Exceptions to this are individuals traveling to or from work, those traveling in the company of an adult, and those going to and from a school-sponsored event.

If a minor is found to be out after the prescribed time, a complaint will be filed for a borough violation. For a first offense, the minor will be given a warning and have a meeting with the Juvenile Conference Committee. A second offense would require an appearance in municipal court, where the legal guardians of the minor could be fined. The minor could be sentenced to community service.

A 17-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old from Red Bank, along with a 15-year-old from Bay Head, were arrested on March 31, for being out past curfew.

The parks in the borough have separate curfews, according to the release.

The curfew at Eastside Park, the Locust Avenue Nature Area and Count Basie Park is from 9 p.m. until dawn. The curfew at Marine Park and Riverside Garden Park is from midnight until dawn.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in any of the borough parks.

The Borough Violation Program is set to target violators of borough ordinances, such as curfew, drinking, rollerblading and skateboarding.

Police will be using a combination of walking patrols, bicycle patrols, motorcycle patrols and regular patrols “to ensure each and every person can enjoy the sites, special events, restaurants, shopping, parks, theaters and other facilities the borough of Red Bank has to offer.”

The DWI Patrol will target those operating motor vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

According to McCarthy, the penalties for violating the borough ordinances are at the discretion of the municipal court judge.

“If there are any problems or problem areas, do not hesitate to call the Red Bank police,” he advised.