Police Arrest Dozens After Teen Curfew in Philadelphia Takes Effect

Not long after the Philadelphia clock tower chimed to mark the 9 p.m. hour Friday, police picked up almost two dozen teens during enforcement of the city's new curfew.
"We took 22 into custody by 10 p.m. along South Street" in downtown Philadelphia, police spokesman Ray Evers said.
He said the juveniles ranged in age from 14 to 17.
The teens are among the first charged with violating a newly strengthened city ordinance, which forbids anyone under 18 from being out on the street after 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in two parts of the city -- including downtown.
The City of Brotherly Love is cracking down after a rash of teen violence.


Mayor Michael Nutter announced the earlier curfew following a string of mob attacks by young people alerted to gatherings via email and social media.
"It's a growing problem in this country," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey said Friday.
Nutter delivered tough remarks in a church sermon last weekend that has received international attention -- a blunt, no-excuses scolding that coincided with the start of the England riots.
An African-American, Nutter noted that those involved in the Philadelphia attacks are predominantly black and said their behavior damaged themselves and their race.
He upheld religious values, underscored the importance of parental discipline and lambasted absentee parents, particularly fathers, for neglecting and not keeping watch over their children.
Nutter's measures target both young attackers and their parents or legal guardians.
He signed an order temporarily moving the curfew to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for everyone under the age of 18 in targeted enforcement districts -- Center City, in the downtown area, and University City, the west Philadelphia neighborhood where the University of Pennsylvania is located.
Throughout the rest of the city, the curfew will remain 10 p.m. for those under the age of 13 and midnight for minors between ages 13 and 18.


Another 15 were being transported to the same station and 20 were being taken to the 3rd District.
In West Philadelphia's 18th District, police said there had been no arrests.
"Minors who are caught breaking curfew will be sent home, brought home or transported to a police station where their parents will be contacted," the city said in a press release. "Minors may be issued a citation with a $100 to $300 fine for a first offense."
The curfew applies to Center City and University City.
Nutter says parents of teens who participate in the attacks will face legal sanctions. The mayor adds that programs at youth centers and help for parents will be offered as curfew enforcement continues, MyFoxPhilly.com reports.
Despite the new efforts to contain the mob violence, only four of the 11 attacks since 2008.