Nutter Doubles Down on FlashMobs

In response to over a year of violent flash mob attacks in downtown Philly, Mayor Nutter imposes curfew changes and increased fines for violators and their parents. Philly Now breaks down the new enforcement rules:

20 of the city’s largest recreational facilities across the center will soon be open until 10 p.m., offering a “safe space” for minors to convene with friends.

A temporary change in “targeted enforcement zones” (Center City and University City) will knock an hour off of the current curfew of 10 p.m.—making it a violation for those under 18 to be out past 9 p.m. in those areas. Curfew will remain the same in all other areas of the city.

Curfew violators will receive a fine of anywhere from $100 to $300 for a first violation and potentially face time in custody.

Parents who have to pick up their child for being out past curfew will first be issued a warning, while succeeding violations will be accompanied by fines up to $500. The city will immediately contact the Department of Human Services if a parent fails to pick up his or her child.

Will this work in stamping out violent flash mobs? I hope so, yet, I question why weren’t these tactics put into place a year ago?

Blast from the past – Remember when Flash Mobs were fun? This was the height of Meetup.com as well. I recall thinking at the time that Flash Mobs and Meetup.com were great organizing tool for political activism.

Posted on August 09, 2011  ::  Categories: Philadelphia
769 views  ::  Leave a Comment