Businesses and restaurants in Camden must still abide by the city's curfew, even though the court fight over the measure is ongoing.
The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill reports state Superior Court Judge Faustino Fernandez-Vina, who upheld the law in April, recently declined to put the curfew on hold.
“This is a great day for the city of Camden,” said its attorney, Marc Riondino. “This is going to allow the residents to have peace and quiet after hours. They’re asking for the same tranquility as people in the suburbs.”
The curfew mandates that businesses within 200 feet of residential zones must close by 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. Exempt businesses include gas stations, pharmacies and establishments that serve or sell alcohol.
The city says the curfew helps reduce crime by having fewer people outside their homes at late hours and provides residents with “peace and quiet after hours.”
But critics say the curfew hurts the earnings potential of businesses and their workers.
“It takes away income from employees (who) work those late-night hours and it will take away profitability from businesses themselves,” said activist Frank Fulbrook, one of the original plaintiffs.
