Hundreds of teens -- and by some estimates more than a thousand -- packed South Street late Saturday night. It was another flash mob scene and for the first time recently, Philly police were able to contain the crowd. It was chaotic, brought traffic to a standstill and fear of what could happen caused some shop owners to shut down early. No property damage and no injuries reported. Police got the heads up this time from parents who called in saying they'd seen text messages about the flash mob on their kids' cell phones. Three teens were arrested.
City officials took to the street Saturday night to combat the social networking phenomenon flash mobs, which are causing increasing concerns in the city.
"Come out, have a ball, behave like you have some sense," Nutter said.
The Philly Family Fun Tour came a week after South Street was overrun by hundreds of teens, resulting in reports of beatings and vandalism, a handful of arrests and early closing of some stores. It was the third flash mob since February.
Officials hope recent flash mob-related arrests will prevent people from participating in the future.
"Hopefully, the fact that 29 have received felony convictions will deter others from receiving texts and showing up, damaging property and hurting people," Williams said.
