Children who violate a curfew in New Jersey's capital city won't be going to jail — they'll be taken to church.
Trenton police say the curfew taking effect July 1 will bar anyone under age 18 from being out in public after midnight.
City Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr. tells The Times of Trenton that juveniles who violate the curfew will be taken to churches or faith-based organizations. Their parents will be notified and told to come get their children.
"We will continue to pursue and to take folks into custody. It's unfortunate that we're going through this, but again, everything plays a part," he told the paper. [[238427591, C]]
Parrey says the goal is to offer teens counseling and aid through area churches. He said further details about the curfew will be formally announced in the near future.
The curfew comes in the wake of several recent shootings in the city, including two in which juveniles were killed.
