Philly Cracks Down on Teen Mobs

Mayor boosts police patrols, sets earlier curfews
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 9, 2011 5:05 PM CDT
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Cracks Down on Teen Violence
Mayor Michael Nutter, center, flanked by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, left.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia is trying to put an end to teenage flash mobs following a series of violent attacks in the city. The city is setting weekend curfews in key areas and putting more police on the streets, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. “If you assault a fellow Philadelphian, a visitor or anyone else in this city, you are going to jail,” says Mayor Michael Nutter. The DA says parents will be held responsible for their kids' actions and could face misdemeanor charges for repeated curfew violations.

Many of the assailants have been black teens, and Nutter spoke at his own church this weekend, castigating neglectful parents and telling youths, "You have damaged your own race," notes the Philadelphia Inquirer. Asked about the comments yesterday, the mayor said, “I do not care what your economic status is in life—you do not have a right to beat somebody's ass on the street!" (More Michael Nutter stories.)

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