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A 16-year-old is currently imprisoned in county jail. Devon Marcus, of Southwest Philly, allegedly fired four shots at an officer on the 600 block of South Front Street after 11 p.m. July 16, according to police. Residents also have been attacked by mobs of teens throughout Center City and parts of South Philly over the past few summers.
“Unfortunately, there’s a tiny minority of ignorant, reckless fools who are engaged in violent acts across the city,” Mayor Michael Nutter said at a press conference outside of City Hall Monday. “They seem not to grasp the full consequences of their actions.”
The temporary change resulting from the executive order he issued in response to flash mobs and teen violence moves curfew to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday for those younger than 18 within the designated boundaries that consist of Vine to Bainbridge streets river to river and a section of University City from 38th to 43rd streets from Market Street to Baltimore Avenue. Throughout the rest of the city, curfews will remain 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for those younger than 13 and midnight for those ages 13 to 17.
Those violating curfew will be taken to a local police station where a parent or guardian must pick up the child, who also will be issued up to a $300 fine while their parent could receive up to a $500 fine. If the parent fails to obtain the child, he or she could face neglect charges. If the child assaults anyone, the justice system will take over.
“If you assault a fellow Philadelphian, a visitor or anyone else in this city, you are going to jail,” Nutter said. “The full force of the Philadelphia justice system will come down on your shoulders and, unfortunately, your life will be forever changed.”
Various recreation centers including Murphy, 300 Shunk St., and Vare, 2600 Morris St., will expand hours to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and the police department will increase its presence in the targeted areas among other locations. Volunteers already have stepped up to help to monitor the streets.
The curfew matter will be readdressed in the fall when City Council is back in session for a permanent update to the law, but the executive order will remain in effect through the summer.
“We need to send a strong, unmistakable and clear message that our city, that our neighborhoods, even parts of Center City are places where people can bring their families, enjoy themselves and have a good time without fear or cause for concern,” Nutter said. “Center City and no other neighborhood in Philadelphia is a place for violence, fear or stupidity.”
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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