NEWARK, NJ – The city of Newark, New Jersey always gets a bad rap, but maybe there’s a good reason for it. Newark has never been known for its safe communities, but one law on the books here sums up the threat risk in the city.
If you sell ice cream at your business in Newark in an area where 20 or more people can gather, you are legally required to hire a security guard.
That’s right, to sell ice cream.
According to the law in Newark, section § 8:12-11 SECURITY GUARD REQUIRED FOR SALE OF ICE CREAM PRODUCTS AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS. [Ord. 6 S+FN, 1-4-1989] requires security at ice cream parlors, ice cream trucks, and pushcarts.
“Any retail business that sells ice cream products as described in Section 13:4-1 and utilizes an adjacent parking area, park, patio or plaza where 20 or more customers or patrons gather shall provide a security guard for the establishment who shall be on duty after 4:00 p.m. while the business is open,” the law states.
If you want to skirt the law and refuse to hire a security guard, you’re going to have to sell a lot of cones to pay for the hefty fine you might face.
“Any owner of such establishment who fails to maintain such security service as is described in this chapter after being notified to comply with this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000, but not less than $50. Each day that such a violation is found to continue shall be considered a separate offense,” the law said.
It’s not sure how often this ordinance is enforced, but it is on the books.
In 2011, Newark expanded this law to include any restaurant that can serve more than 15 patrons. Those restaurants must hire security guards to work after 9 pm, provided they stay open later than 10 pm.