Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has announced a curfew for specific areas of Philadelphia on Fridays and Saturdays in order to curb the recent spread of dangerous flash-mobs in the city. “Today, we are issuing an enforcement response and a community response to these terrible acts by a small number of reckless teenagers who have damaged our city and our citizens,” Nutter said.
The dangerous flash-mobs have been involved in violent incidents in the past. Recently, two men were attacked in Philadelphia’s Center City district by a flash-mob of 40 people. In another flash-mob incident, a cyclist was beaten in Philadelphia’s South Street neighborhood in 2009 after a flash-mob formed in the area. Nutter and other city officials hope that the curfew will keep such incidents at bay during the summer months.
“Through the coordinated efforts of City officials, the Philadelphia Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the Courts and concerned citizens, we will put a stop to this violence in the heart of our city,” Nutter professed. Mayor Nutter’s curfew will take effect this Friday and be applicable to Philadelphia’s Center City and University City districts.
Nutter’s executive order will change the curfew to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays for those under eighteen until further notice in the “targeted enforcement districts.” Throughout the rest of Philadelphia, people under the age of eighteen must be home by midnight. However, Nutter indicated that the new curfew may be lifted in September. “In September, I am looking forward to working with City Council to amend our city’s curfew laws to better anticipate our enforcement needs,” Nutter said.
There will be strict punishments for those who break Philadelphia’s new curfew aimed at curbing dangerous flash-mobs. Possible consequences of violating the curfew include a $100-$300 fine for first-time offenders and the possibility of a trip to jail and a call home. Repeat offenders will be given a $500 fine.
“We will be prosecuting these young criminals to the fullest extent of the law. There is no excuse for what they did, and they have brought great shame upon themselves and their families. Let this be a message to any others who think that participating in flash mobs is acceptable or fun — don’t do it,” District Attorney Seth Williams said.
The statement from Mayor Michael Nutter’s office also reveals that the parents of any minors who are convicted of criminal acts while out after curfew will be held responsible for their child’s actions. Parents are “subject to imprisonment for up to 90 days for repeat curfew violation offenses,” the statement said.
The Philadelphia Police Department plans on increasing patrols in Center City and University City to prevent dangerous flash-mobs from forming in the coming weeks.
