As flash mob fears reach a fever pitch in Philadelphia, city officials plan to fight the perception that the city is unsafe. But it won't be an easy battle.
Mayor Michael Nutter, D.A. Seth Williams, Councilman Frank DiCicco and their families will be taking a stroll down South Street Saturday night to deflect flash mob angst.
Nutter will kick off the walk with a group declaration of "This is my Philadelphia, I love where I live" at 7 p.m. at 9th and South Streets, according to a spokesperson for the mayor.
The group will then walk down South Street to 2nd Street all the while stopping to shop and eat, officials say.
South Street was the site of the largest and most disruptive of the past three flash mobs.
Last Saturday, hundreds of teens overran the retail district, starting fights, smashing cars and forcing businesses to close early.
Seth Kaufman was defending the pizza shop where he works when he says he was beaten.
"They kicked me…everywhere, all in the face," Kaufman said Monday, visible bruises scattered his body. "I didn't feel it, but I'm sore now."
Another woman lost teeth and was hospitalized after being beaten in the midst of the chaos, police said.
Authorities say they were tipped off by a parent about the South Street mob, but simply too many kids were involved to easily control the situation at its start.
Following the South Street incident, Mayor Nutter and Police Comm. Ramsey lobbed strong warnings at teens who might want to take part in the mobs.
"This quote-unquote flash mobbing is not fun, it can actually ruin your life," Nutter said Wednesday referencing the convictions of 10 teens in previous flash mob incidents.
Top brass also directed their anger at parents, warning them that they will be responsible for what a child does.
But even before the mayor and commissioner's words could be broadcast to the masses, rumors of yet another flash mob struck fear in University City.
Businesses closed and students and staff at the University of Pennsylvania were told to avoid the area of 40th and Market Streets in case chaos ensued.
Fortunately the teens never assembled, but the damage was already done. Nerves had been frayed and precious police resources diverted.
A day later, a large teen vigil that turned rowdy was first classified by authorities as yet another flash mob. Once reinforcements arrived and information disseminated it was quickly understood what actually occurred.
Teens at the vigil, holding pictures of their fallen friend and candles, told NBC Philadelphia they were angry the event had been mistaken for a flash mob.
City officials are now working with media organizations like NBC Philadelphia to help prevent mobs before they form, but it seems resident's fears may only exacerbate the situation before it gets better.
"You can't even walk down here, you've gotta turn around every five seconds because you might be getting hit with something," Michael Gault said earlier this week.
Let's hope that doesn't happen.
Anyone with information or tips on possible flash mobs are asked to call the Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS.
