Philadelphia’s stepped up weekend police presence didn’t convince all young people to obey a crackdown on the city's 10 p.m. curfew.
Police reported a dozen minors were cited over the weekend for being on the streets after midnight.
On Monday, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and District Attorney Seth Williams announced the city’s holistic approach to stop what the mayor called intolerable behavior that has serious consequences.
"We need to send a strong, unmistakable and clear message that our city, our neighborhoods even parts of Center City are places that people can bring their families, enjoy themselves and have a good time without fear or cause for concern," said Nutter.
First, the mayor announced the city's targeted recreation center hours will be extended to 10 p.m. to provide supervised, safe places for young people to gather.
Two city neighborhoods have been targeted for stepped up curfew regulations, including a 9 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18 on Fridays and Saturdays. The affected communities include:
Center City, from Vine St. to Bainbridge and river to river; and University City, from Market St. to Baltimore Ave. and 38th St. to 43rd St.
In other areas of Philadelphia, the existing curfew will continue: Children under the age of 13 must be home by 10 p.m.; and young people between the ages of 13 and 18 must be home by 12 midnight.
Nutter said young people who break curfew will be picked up and taken into custody and could face a fine from $100 to $300. A parent or legal guardian will be called to pick them up and will be given a warning and the fine could increase up to $500. If a parent or guardian doesn’t respond, DHS will be contacted to investigate further.
The mayor said city officials will revisit the overall strategy after the new school year begins to make sure it addresses the need for some young people to be out at night who may be involved in after-school activities.
Last week, Mayor Nutter called out teenagers involved in the violent mobs that have left several
people injured in recent weeks.
On Sunday, Mayor Nutter took the pulpit at his own church, Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, and condemned the acts of the marauding bands of teens. He says they have hurt other people, hurt themselves and speaking directly to the offenders he said "you've damaged your own race."
The mayor, who is black, also called out the parents of teens involved in the attacks, many of whom are African-American. He says parents need to be more involved and not just a "human ATM."
