Video has surfaced of a large group causing chaos inside a Philadelphia Walgreens store back on July 4th.
Police said a group of about 60 people stormed through the Walgreens store on 1800 South Street around 10 p.m. last Thursday. Surveillance video shows them knocking items off shelves before fleeing. Police also said store employees were hurt after the group threw items at them.
The incident was one of several fights that occurred recently on South Street, a popular area in the city.
“There’s always been police down there on South Street since I’ve been a kid,” City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson said. “At the end of the day, it’s about parenting and our kids making the right decisions.”
Johnson, who’s on the city’s committee for public safety, told NBC10 he believes social media is fueling large gatherings in the area. He also spoke on business owners on South Street closing early as a result.
“First and foremost they shouldn’t have to close up shop at all,” he said. “We’re going to make sure curfew laws are strictly enforced and continuously stepping up our police efforts.”
City officials said there are several youth programs in South Philadelphia, including sports teams. Johnson believes it still comes down to parents knowing where their kids are at all times.
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“People should feel safe,” Johnson said. “They should be able to come out and go shopping without having to feel like they are going to be robbed or someone is going to hurt them or there’s going to be some sort of flash mobbing.”
If you have any information on the Walgreens incident, please call the South Detective Division at 215-686-3013.
