Mt. Laurel council tables sports nets decision amid community angst

Two years ago, Chief of Police Dennis Cribben recommended Mt. Laurel Township council ban portable basketball nets and other sports equipment in township-owned roadways. As a police officer for more than 19 years, he has seen his share of sports-related incidents, he said, and the ordinance in question, 2012–10, would minimize risk.

Many residents disagreed, some stating that disallowing the nets would limit children’s’ ability to exercise and could pose more dangers.

At the suggestion of Deputy Mayor Linda Bobo, council tabled the decision at the Monday, July 2 meeting and was to continue discussion at the Monday, July 9 work session meeting.

“This measure would reduce the opportunity for free play,” said resident Michael Redmond, pointing out that not every community member has a back yard.

There are three basketball nets on his court, he said, and his neighbors are responsible in their placements of the equipment.

Mayor James Keenan said that the removal of sports nets from the roadways would result in a higher level of safety for both the traveling public and children at play and would lower the chances of a lawsuit against the township if a child were to get hurt in the streets.

Keenan added that the sports nets would be allowed on residents’ property.

“These basketball hoops are an obstruction to traffic,” explained Cribben.

In storms, the portable structures fall over and block roadways.

“We’re trying to be proactive in nature,” Cribben said.

Through a survey, it was determined that similar laws are in effect in nearby Delran, Willingboro Township, Westampton Township and Medford Township.

Resident Dan Rosenbaum voiced that he felt the idea was a bad one.

“Life is about balancing risks,” he said.

The number of asteroid deaths is on par with the number of basketball hoop related deaths, he said, and the risk being discussed by council has yet to occur.

On the other hand, he said, the obesity epidemic has exploded in recent years, largely due to a lack of proper exercise facilities.

“What will be banned next?” asked resident Gary Sutera, who missed his son’s basketball game to be in attendance at the meeting.

The ban outright is a gross infringement on kids’ rights to exercise, he said.

“We like the freedom to do this,” said resident David Pratt.

Motorists slow down when they see kids at play in the streets, he said, and he is afraid that the ordinance is founded in irritation rather than need.

While many community members voiced dissention, the ordinance did receive some support.

“I don’t want to pay part of a litigation fee,” said Fred Braun.

“They’re not temporary if they’re not moved when a game is over,” he added of the portable nets.

If adopted in the future, a zoning officer would be in charge of enforcement, according to township manager Maureen Mitchell.

After listening to comments from the public, council agreed to look into alternatives to an outright ban, but Keenan hopes to address the issue as soon as possible.

“It’s hard for us to make this decision,” said Keenan.