Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said that the first weekend curfew for all minors “went well,” after reports emerged that groups of black youths—or “flash mobs”—were responsible for violent assaults and vandalism across the city.
Nutter recently said in a statement that he felt the necessity to place a 9 p.m. curfew on youths under the age of 18 on Friday and Saturday to curb the random incidents of assaults on people and property.
“We had about 70 curfew violations over the course of Friday and Saturday nights, and I am sure that young people and their parents have now gotten the message,” he said.
Nutter, who is black, gave a fiery speech last Sunday aimed at black youths in the city. “You’ve damaged yourself, you’ve damaged another person, you’ve damaged your peers and, quite honestly, you’ve damaged your own race,” he said at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church, according to the The Associated Press.
Last month, a man was attacked by a group of teenagers downtown, ending up with broken teeth and a wired jaw, according to the news agency.
The city also plans to increase its legal sanctions on parents of teens who are involved in the attacks.
Nutter added that more enforcement, curfews, and more programs at youth centers around the city will help deal with the assaults.
“This is about personal responsibility,” he told AP. “We have to be very straightforward.”
Flash Mobs Prompt Philadelphia Mayor to Crack Down
Flash mobs, as they are dubbed, prompted Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to issue curfews. The so-called flash mobs have been blamed for violent assaults and property damage in the city.
8/15/2011
Updated: 8/15/2011
