Point Beach Wants To Check For Business Owners’ New Criminal Acts

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – The Point Pleasant Beach Council wants to check for business owners who develop criminal activity after they’ve already come to town.

The chief of police would be able to report to the borough licensing officer in writing indicating his approval, disapproval, or approval.

Mayor Paul Kanitra said the proposed ordinance "just cleans up what we already had." He said the previous law "left us limited abilities for business owners who have criminal issues after their first mercantile license application."

"This new law will give us the ability to have more tools at our disposal to protect the residents from dangerous situations," Kanitra said.

The chief of police would need to first make a determination that the applicant is not currently indicted for a crime in New Jersey, or any other state, which would "reasonably relate to the nature of the business to be conducted by the applicant."

The chief would also be able to determine:

• That the proposed business would not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare of the community.
• The applicant had not conducted any business in violation of any local ordinances or state statutes.
• The applicant has not permitted any person to conduct illegal activities on the premises of a business previously maintained in the borough.
• The proposed business would not be a public nuisance.

"This inspection is necessary to ensure that the operation of this business will not endanger the health, safety or welfare of the general public and that the business and premises are in compliance with all applicable ordinances of the borough of Point Pleasant Beach," the proposed ordinance says.

An inspection will also be conducted to involve the care and handling of food, if applicable, and preventing nuisances and the spread of disease.

The ordinance will be considered for final passage after a public hearing at a regular meeting to be held via the Zoom online meeting platform on April 20th, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Here's how to join: Meeting ID: 949 0042 2700 / Passcode: 071396; https://zoom.us/j/94900422700?pwd=bU1kclY2OFd1UGtTYm9XMGxYTE92dz09