Politics & Government

$500 Minimum Fine for Public Urination, Defecation Introduced

Amendment introduced by Town Council Tuesday; final vote set for Sept. 11.

When you've got to go, you've got to go. But, you may want to hold just a little while more if you're in a public place in Morristown, or it'll cost you.

An ordinance introduced at Tuesday's council meeting, if approved at the council's next meeting on Sept. 11, would make the minimum fine for anyone urinating or defecating in a public space in Morristown $500.

There currently is no minimum fine associated with public urination or defecation in town. Meaning, a judge could technically issue a fine anywhere from $10 to the maximum allowable fine of $2,000, said Vij Pawar, the town attorney.

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"It would still be the judge's discretion, but now the minimum would be $500," he said. "Hopefully, they would be discouraged."

If someone isn't discouraged to answer the call of nature in public, and has other violations, it could cost them even more. Under the ordinance amendment, if approved, people with three violations would have to pay a minimum fine of $1,000.

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Mayor Tim Dougherty said the amendment was not aimed solely at business areas, such as those with a higher concentration of bars, but for the entire town.

"It's a townwide quality of life issue," he said. "We should have a minimum fine in place."


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