Dozens of teens detained after Philadelphia's earlier curfew

[Baska]

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.

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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.

"Minors who are caught breaking curfew will be sent home, brought home or transported to a police station where their parents will be contacted. Minors may be issued a citation with a $100 to $300 fine for a first offense," the city said in a news release.

If parents don't come for their child "within a reasonable time, police will contact the Department of Human Services to start an investigation."

Parents will receive a notice for first violations, and will be fined up to $500 for successive violations. They are also subject to imprisonment for up to 90 days for repeat curfew violation offenses, according to the city.

In addition, parents "whose child under the age of 18 is found liable or guilty by a court for injury, theft or other criminal acts" will be liable to the person who suffered the injury or loss of property," the statement said.

 

 

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[Vanaraud]

Anyone walking after its going dark near houses should be arrested for being "potential" burglars?!

And are aliens invaded US that there are races?

[Fargwire]

I have no problem with that since someone tried to break into my truck the other night.