For borough’s judge, quality of life on trial

By: Jennifer Potash
   Several cases involving quality-of-life issues — from open containers of alcohol in public to urinating in public to overcrowded rental properties — were prominent in Princeton Borough Municipal Court on Monday.
   More than a dozen Princeton University students were before the court on borough ordinance violations which carry a maximum penalty of $1,000 in fines and 90 days’ community service but do not result in a criminal record.
   And in one of the first cases under the borough’s new overcrowding ordinances, Mark Bovenizer, president of Bov Inc., which owns a rental property on Witherspoon Street, pleaded guilty to not registering the legal tenants with the borough.
   In an agreement reached with the borough, Bov Inc. agreed to register all the tenants and ensure the legally permitted number of tenants are the only people living at the property. Judge Russell Annich Jr. also issued a $100 fine — the minimum allowed by the ordinance.
   A second case of overcrowding will go to trial at a later date.
   In an unusual move regarding the students, Judge Annich adjourned the sentencing — all the students pleaded guilty — so the students could write letters to the court suggesting ways to prevent other students from engaging in similar behavior.
   "Even before you graduate you’re in the 99 percentile of privilege in this society and with it comes responsibility to inform yourselves of the laws and respect them," Judge Annich told the assembled students.
   Borough Prosecutor Marc Citron said he has noticed a lack of respect by Princeton University students for local ordinances as well as for police officers.
   "We had one young lady tell a police officer, ‘I’m out of here next year and I’ll be making $150,000 a year while you’ll be a cop making $30,000,’ " Mr. Citron said.
   There are 20 more such cases pending for next week’s court session.
   Princeton Borough Police Chief Charles Davall told the Borough Council last week that the department has put more officers on patrol on Prospect Avenue during times when the eating clubs have parties.