PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Mayor Michael Nutter today announced a tighter weekend curfew in the Center City and University City regions of the city, as he continues grappling with the threat of “flash mobs” in Philadelphia.
Nutter today described those engaging in flash mob rampages (see previous story) as “a tiny minority of ignorant, reckless fools.”
Then, flanked by dozens of law enforcement and community leaders, he spelled out a substantive (though temporary) change in the city’s curfew for two key areas — Center City and University City — on Friday and Saturday nights.
Anyone under 18 in those areas must now be off the streets by 9 PM.
And when parents come to pick up curfew violators, the mayor said, they’ll be told to keep track of the child.
“If you don’t even bother to pick up your child, we are immediately calling the Department of Human Services, and you can then be taken to court for other violations including neglect of your child,” he warned.
And Nutter asked for the public’s help.
“We need the community to be our eyes and ears on the ground,” he said. “This is not just a policing problem. This is not just a Philadelphia Police Department challenge. This is a challenge for all of us as community members and community leaders.”
In addition, Nutter said 20 city recreation centers will be open later — until 10 PM — on Friday and Saturday nights (see list below).
Twelve minors were cited for curfew violations this past weekend. The temporary 9 PM curfew, Nutter said, will be reevaluated when the school year starts.
