Nutter to form plan for flash mobs
Mayor Nutter said today that the police and a variety of city agencies would partner with businesses and community groups to "create an integrated, coordinated response" to the so-called "flash mob" incidents in Center City.
Nutter to form plan for flash mobs
Troy Graham @troyjgraham on Twitter
Mayor Nutter said today that the police and a variety of city agencies would partner with businesses and community groups to "create an integrated, coordinated response" to the so-called "flash mob" incidents in Center City.
On Friday, a pack of youths attacked two people randomly in Center City -- the most recent in a string of troubling and seemingly pointless youth attacks going back more than 18 months. Four young men, ranging in age from 19 to 11, were charged in the incident.
Nutter said the response plan would be unveiled the week of Aug. 8, after his scheduled return from vacation. He said the plan would "consider enforcement options, prosecution, social response, counseling and neighborhood outreach."
In the meantime, the police launched an online program today that allows businesses and residents to register their security cameras with the department.
Here is the full text of the mayor's statement:
“We do not tolerate violence by any individuals in our city, and we will continue to respond with the full force of our city’s justice system to kids who disrespect their City.
“These troubled young people are only a small percentage of our city’s youth; yet, their impulsive actions impact all of our citizens. We need parents to know where their kids are every night. We need mentors to reach out into their communities and work with young people. We need the Police Department to be a continually visible presence on our streets. We need the District Attorney’s Office and the courts to prosecute these offenders and make it clear that this behavior has very serious consequences. We need this to happen in a coordinated effort.
“We also commit to working with our businesses in Center City and throughout the city. Today, the PPD launched SafeCam, an online initiative that allows residents and businesses to register their security cameras with the City. This initiative will allow us to work directly with businesses to ensure that criminals are quickly apprehended. Business owners and residents can visit https://safecam.phillypolice.com/ to become part of this new program.
“I am bringing together all the parties in the city who work with young people and who can have a real impact on stopping these senseless acts of violence. Our approach will be led by a need to quickly apprehend offenders and to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law while also considering long-term solutions that will include reaching out through the community.”
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Comments (149)
I thought flash mobs were organized events of fun loving people. These "terrorists" are not flash mobs. They are Ghetto Gangs intent on terrorizing the community. They are no better than pirates and as they get older they will become more toxic and deadly to the community. Who will they attack when all the tourists leave and also the businesses? God help us all.— red rum- I think the flashmobs must be kicking up a taste to the mayor, that's why he doesnt do anything about these animals.— section707
- Hey Mister Mayor I have a plan and it involves a .45 caliber round to the chest of each attacker. I guarantee that will stop them from doing it again.— oot
- increasing money for education is pointless if the kids dont want to learn. dont even start with "its everyone else's fault." No one is asking these kids to come beat the snot of others. The worst part is they are beating up people who probably provided the money for their meals that day.— theeman1
- increasing money for education is pointless if the kids dont want to learn. dont even start with "its everyone else's fault." No one is asking these kids to come beat the snot of others. The worst part is they are beating up people who probably provided the money for their meals that day.— theeman1
- Who let the dogs out?— drangonball
- What you need to know is law abiding black people are discussed by this senseless act of violence and destruction. I’m a hardworking, successful black woman who doesn’t identify with this behavior at all. What white people need to remember is the intentional destruction of black communities. I never hear white people acknowledge the plan by powerful white men who wanted a permanent underclass and have set plans in motion to achieve their goals. It has taken years to get to this critical point. I know, some will respond by calling me liberal or other hateful names, but that’s okay. What troubles me is the destruction of a generation of young black people. A good portion of this generation is completely loss. Ask yourselves, who controls the TV Networks, who controls the Music Industry, who controls the Movies. The people controlling all of these destructive industries are WHITE PEOPLE. Our government for years has been flooding black communities, who are intentional miss education with drugs and guns to destroy themselves. Now the problem is so out of control, the so called animals are leaving their neighborhoods and descending on other areas to cause trouble. As long as the crime and violence stayed in black communities, no one cared. People in power need to remember, "When you created a monster most times the monster will end up destroying you". Education is one of the principal ways to correct this problem for poor black children. And to think that education is going to receive even deeper cuts. God help us all!
— tooltimegirl - Oh yeah, counseling, that'll help them. That's brilliant Nutter. Oh and holding parents accountable... yeah that'll work too. Their parents are bigger criminals than the flash mob participants. What's an 11 year old doing out on the streets at 10pm. The city's ideas/plans are useless, just like the police response to the situation. Knowing this has been an on going issue for some years now and nothing's been done. What are Nutter and city 'officials' going to do... nothing, that's right, absolutely nothing. Because they're bound by law and like the mob members, their own ineptitude. Nutter and officials care if they are arrested, go to jail or lose their jobs, mob idiots don't. Sorry Philadelphians you'll just have to deal with the probability of being attacked, injured or killed. An ever increasing problem.— blizzarddr
- I guess with "the brothers runnning our city" safety is not a priority...raising the parking fees and waiting by the meters to write tickets, is the administration's priority so the few people who are still willing to risk their lives by coming to Philly to enjoy a nice dinner have to pay steep parking fees....Philadelphia is a joke!— gm1420
- I guess you don't realize that former Mayor John Street who made the stupid comment about the brothers running the city is not the same as Mayor Michael Nutter. Nutter is intelligent and even handed. If you don't like to pay for parking, take SEPTA. If you think Philly is a joke, why bother coming here. Don't they have good restaurants in the burbs? — SueMHP
- ENOUGH is ENOUGH. The parents need to be involved. The time has come to realize that all these flash moobs, that are happening more frequently now, with the intent to hurt and rob people, are symptoms of a corrupt inner city culture. Giving more money to these thugs is not the answer. Its obvious that with these flash mobs, on top of the everyday violence that is the norm for certain neighborhoods, is a cultural problem coming out of the north and west parts of philly. Chester, upper darby, etc have the same problem. This isnt about all black people. This is about the inner city thugs, who care only about "catchin rep" and "wil'n out." I know plenty of black people from college who have good jobs, and dont think of violence at the drop of a hat. This is a black, inner city problem. There are plenty of things that can be done about it. The first is acceptance.— theeman1
- first, very sad to hear how people are not visiting the city as much although i understand their rational...
next, how are uneducated thugs outsmarting the law enforcement of philly? we need vigilantes (sp) to be empowered to fix the problem as our city gov't is failing!— jorge fuentes - 18 months and he's doing something now?— phillytwo
- There is "High Capacity" pepper spray available, just go loaded for bear: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2SABFBAD04-1.html— sirius1
Comment removed.- While I sympathize with the victims who were attacked, it is important to remember that these attackers are victims too -- victims of a broken family system, victims of the tragedy of drug addition, victims of low expectations, and, yes, victims of a society that has all but given up on them. I hope that Nutter is serious about this issue, and that these children get the help and care that they deserve -- and that we, as a caring society, OWE them.— aperson19103
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- The cause of all this is RESPECT or more correctly a misguide search by members of the ghetto community to earn RESPECT. Even the kids who have no criminal record will bust a move when they see an opportunity. See someone using an I phone and there's noone around, jump him and take his stuff. But the real payoff is when they get back with the homeboys. "hey yo, likes my new I phone, yeah i bust this white beeach in his head he went down all cryin an shid, I took his phone n $20 out his wallet" where upon one of the other guys says " all that ain't nufin" and proceeds to describe his more gangsta exploits. Until these people can learn to RESPECT education, family and success instead of earning RESPECT by fish tails of beatdowns there's no hope for them or this city.— couldabeenakenzo
- We pay the police to do an ugly job. Let them do it. Give them back their blackjacks and grant them immunity from prosecution and unleash them on the savage animals that roam center city in packs feeding on innocent, decent human beings. After a few skulls are cracked the savages will scatter.— PhillySteve21
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- The Mayor thinks that the groups that are in these mobs are just a few ,well I got news for him what about the mob at the Greek Fest,they are suppose to be the educated college middle class blacks.
They were more than a few ,I saw lots.— Jumper - They come near me, im shooting them or running them over. Plain and simple— amac1981
- Nutter said, "...police and a variety of city agencies would partner with businesses and community groups to 'create an integrated, coordinated response"...to the flash mobs in center city." Excuse me while I go puke.— Boru
- Nutter is a CLOWN.....I would vote Mickey Mouse into office before I would vote for that fool!— realtor44
- Form a commission. Start a study. Use community organizers. Have a hotline online. Sure. All that does is employ the unemployable at the taxpayer's expense. What a sham. Boycott Center City or in my family's case boycott Philadelphia.— joedog
- Let us stop these madness, starting with the politicians and their dishonesty. If these kids take part in committing adult crime, let them do the time. Mandatory juvenile prison until 18 when they are primed and ripe for jail if they revert to their old ways, while for the adults or teenagers, a maximum sentence of 4 to 5 years with hard labor. The lives of these victims can never be the same and the perpetrators should not be allowed to have a pleasant one either. They are nothing but punks that catch their victims off guard and derive joy in doing so, why then should they be treated like humans. The whole monitoring thing is a joke because it only protects a few but, stipulating a mandatory sentence would send notice to these vagabonds and their parents. Charity begins at home.
— OTITOKORO - how did these kids get downtown? not to mention that their parents don't know an 11 year old is downtown...answer simple...free transpasses..it's summer!!! why do they have access to free public transportation?? Not all of them are going to summer school...I should know...I'm teaching a summer class, that theyre not going to.— bingo
I can already envision scores of overpaid attorneys gathering, and the cretins from the ACLU, drawing up a long list of things that CAN NOT be done to these scum kids. When Nutter and the police are done reading this.....any plan with teeth won't have a chance. These kids will be rounded up, sent to a remedial program that will be totally ineffective in changing their behavior. The lawyers, all gutless wonders, will frighten the city and police with the potential for lawsuits and ghetto paydays for anyone who so much as puts a bruise on the arm of these violent punks. Only when the lawyers and the ACLU are driven out...contained...or turned into suet for birds, can we start to turn this around.— Henry Howard Earl of Surrey- We need to start convincing these kids to stage mass suicides rather then flash mobs.— skosloski
- Nutter's Plan: The Frank Rizzo Beatdowns
— OurCity2000 - What ever happened to sense-able black people. These young kids have nothing going for themselves, look at their parents, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I would not waste my money helping these troubled kids, they are too far gone from the "real world". I think we need to set a precedent of consequences for these teens. If you commit an act of violence on a innocent civilian, I believe you should serve you're time in the Armed Forces. That way these kids can learn some discipline, respect, knowledge. I am ashamed to walk down the street because of my people. I am a 19 year old college student with a 3.7 GPA. I am pretty open so e-mail me with concerns ls4943@ship.edu— Lavell S
- Why inflict the Armed Forces with these vermin? Most aspects of the modern warrior require someone who is 'teachable'...'disciplined'...and 'brave'.That eliminates all of these vermin. Even infantryman must have advanced skills and training, and the avg. ghetto youth can't begin to handle the work load and the training. — Henry Howard Earl of Surrey
- I must admit, flash mobs have been going on in my community since 2008. I called the cops, but once these 'little black boys' start attacking the white community that's when it becomes public. The city of Philadelphia is a joke, it has been a joke since Mayor Street was in office. I am 19 and I can tell you that.
I personally believe that anyone that continues to vote democrat and support public welfare and other free services is a fool.
The city of Philadelphia is not a place where I would want to raise my children.
How about you guys come walk down my street? If you thought Center City was bad wait till you come to Uptown..— Lavell S - For 20-25 years, my wife and I and our friends loved heading into the city on a regular basis. Now, you won't catch us in Philly EVER, with the exception of the stadium complex. Sad but true. Are you listening Nutter?! Do you CARE? Because I am representative of TENS, IF NOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SUBURBANITES WHO REFUSE TO PUT OUR LIVES AT RISK IN ANY PART OF THE CITY, WHICH I LOVE. I work in NYC REGULARLY AND i am NEVER in fear for my safety there. EVER.— 5NOT4
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- Publish all of the animals' pictures - regardless of age - as well as the pictures of their parents(?). And make the parents responsible for paying for all damage caused by the animals. Lastly, I can not WAIT until they attack someone who is packing, and a whole bunch of 'em go DOWN. Hard! Can not WAIT!— 5NOT4
- Read: Next time there's a flash-mob our response long after the perps are gone will be much less comical.— ss1073
- I work in one of the high end restaurants right where the latest group wreaked havoc. I think that it will only take one or two more of these attacks and NOBODY will come to CC at night anymore except for the thugs. People in the burbs are already a little wary of a night out in the big city. Come on, Mayor and Chief Ramsey. Figure something out before we are all out of a job.— Philanewbie
- The solution is easy. Just move like I did. I am not ashamed at all that I gave up on Philly, it's never changing. Why give all of your hard earned tax dollars to this cess pool of filth and crime? It's the only place where the garbage trucks actually make the city dirtier and not cleaner. Then you have Philly's parking authority whose officers are seen more than the police officers. They have a show on E! called Parking wars! That's an amazing way to market your city for free - what genius came up with that? That's how unfriendly this city has become...they would rather penalize me the hardworking schmuck because I'm one minute late to my parking meter meanwhile I'm paying a s-load of taxes and spending a s-load of money in this dump. For what? So I can get mobbed on the streets? Moving was the best thing I ever did, I have clean streets, great schools, better culture, more outdoors things to do, more entertainment options, without the risk of get beating up. And yes, I moved to another big city and not the burbs. Philly is a trap city. It traps you in because of its cheap cost of living, decent restaurants, average (but very overrated) culture/history, convenience to NY and DC and the shore, but it really has nothing to offer except heartburn, which stems from not just the greasy cheesesteaks and cheese fries but also the lowlifes which the city has more than its fair share. I have no more heartburn, at least I don't have to give more penny to Philly just to see if fade into a not so glamorous sunset.— MovedFromPhilly
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- You know what makes me feel better? Spending taxpayer dollars on counseling, social response and community outreach. What a pathetic JOKE! People are getting MUGGED, at times in broad daylight and you think a stern talking-to is what these hoodlums have been needing? I don't want them in jail either, there's far too much of that. Can we ship them to Camden?— Douggernaut
- How about a kumbaya campfire Mayor Nutter? I'll bring the smores...Get real, you clown. The only thing these vermin understand is force, so give them a dose of their own medicine.— jda1002
- Not sure if anyone else noticed but packs of rampaging blacks have popped up in other places, namely Charlotte, NC, Miami, FL, and a few other places this summer. This is becoming a trend. It's kind of ironic that you don't see large groups of other ethnicities doing this type of thing. I wonder why?— The Real Taxmann is BACK
- Cut off their welfare checks and steralize the females.— The Real Taxmann is BACK
- Center City Philadelphia ?? I don't go there anymore. Neither does my money, my credit cards, or my financial support. "They're not going to tolerate these flash mobs any longer." What are they waiting for ???????— cgraham
- Where is the Center City District. This wouldn't happen under Bill Schmid. They ruined the Center City District foot beats when they put all the toads from the Transit Unit there. The Commanding Officer; Alan Clarke couldn't catch a cold in winter if his life depended on it.— Bubba James
- If he was going to do something-it would already have been done.
If you are out and about and get caught up in this,you and your loved ones safety are up to you-not political clowns on vacation.
Do what you gotta do.— oakster - I like Nutter as a person but he is way to late in getting a grip on this issue. He should authorize the use of force. Night sticks over the head, whatever. There is nothing within these mobs to be scared about.— watsonmr
- If you had been denying the existence of mobs for the 18 months they have been attacking what is another couple of weeks during tourist season? A "Plan" usually isn't hatched after the fact, this is more like a very late and very lame "Reaction".— itzjake
- The source of the problem are the slave owners who brought this trash to this country beginning 300 years ago. Buying them from black slave traders of course. Think how different it would be here in the US if slavery never existed. It's had to imagine but what a difference it would be.
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- In the eighties they were called "wolf packs", a group of poor disenfranchised Afro-Americans ripping gold off of peoples (usually white) necks. In the nineties African-Americans went around "wilding" the fine art of digitally violating a female, victims were both black and white (equal opportunity sexual assault). Now Blacks (this is the current accepted description I believe) are engaging in flash mob assaults (back to white victims again, gee how history repeats itself again and again and again ad nauseum) and our fine mayor will grapple with this latest hue based crime wave of the day by offering more "free stuff" for these poor poor chidren. Lets face it theres nothing that will ever be done to stop this holocaust on White Americans (yes holocaust is what it would be called if this cross raced crime happened as frequently the other way, check FBI statistics on black v white crime), the only recourse is to arm and defend yourself or move to North Dakota.— catdompa
- About time. And where is Darrell Clark, the councilman from the fifth district?
Nice display of cowardship!— mmds - The plan is simple...if you are going to enter the city limits of Philly, exercise your right to conceal/ carry. Nothing deters a flash mob faster then some quick "flashes" from the business end of a high caliber revolver.— kelprod2
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- Heres a plan: avoid large packs of black teenagers if you see them downtown.— Mags37
- hey flash mob i have a license to pack i will be at the capiyal grille this friday please come there so i can legally blow a couple of u dirtbags away make my day oh that's right ur poor and minority so i guess we should feel sorry see u friday— the commodore
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- LOL — GoPhils09
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- Warning, If you buy a gun and do not have a permit to carry you could be nabbed.In my day gun dealers had to report sales to the city.Philly Highway Patrol would get these lists and be waiting for you when you went out.Their prize arrests were were for gun pinches and the list made it simple.— trickbox369
- This is not Nutter's fault; itis the fault of the parents of these predators and the predators themselves. Just like there is a genocide going on in the inner city with so many little kids and innocent people being shot, robbed and terrorized, the only thing that Nutter can do is double the police force. We know that is impossible so the attacks will continue and downtown will become a ghost town. I for one hate coming into the city even though there are great restaurants and cultural centers such as the Kimmel, The Academy of Music, the Art museum etc. I'm even afraid to park my car in a parking garage and have to walk a block or two.
NY had the same problem until Giuliani and the police commissioner cdame together and did something.— Drumgoole - Comment removed.
- I was on CNN.com over the weekend. Without hearing a word about this I saw the headline about youths running wild in the streets and knew it was going to be about Philly. If only the lottery were that easy to predict.— TheyCallMeBruce
- This type of stuff probably won't end until a few of these kids are shot and killed. Unfortunately, that's probably what it'll take. They are going to mess with the wrong person one night and someone is going to get capped in the head. If any of you punks are reading this, I told you so...— DelcoSchmelco
- "These troubled young people...." These aren't troubled, they ARE the trouble! And don't expect their parent(s) to be involved in any meaningful solution, these punks are incorrigible. Prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law should involve incarceration at YDC, or Camp Hill. If they're off the streets, they can't cause trouble. Same for all the felons who are running lose in the city. The flash mob kiddies look up to these mentors and want to be just like them. Hope you had an nice vacation Nutter; probably saw Obama in your travels.— dogman5
- This comment has been deleted.— bad joe s
- Great points. I wonder where the "leaders" of the black community are while these thugs go rampaging through the city. I tend to think they enjoy seeing it happen because they have such great disdain for the gentrification of many of Philly's neighborhoods which were once all white but became slums following the integration of blacks. You dont' hear a peep out of the black community following these mob riots. I wonder why. Speak up black leaders. Where is Jannie Blackwell and her big mouth? She's a leader for a black district. These so-called "black leaders" are a complete and utter sham. They're cowards. They only show their heads when it's election time or when someone has money to hand out. — The Real Taxmann is BACK
- I await the showdown between the drunk muscle-heads pouring out of the bars and the teen mobs.— T
- I almost wish something like this would happen. Not drunk muscle-heads but maybe 15-20 construction workers sitting outside of a building together having lunch and these skinny, neck tattooed, uneducated worthless pieces of humanity start with them. Oh please let it happen.
— Norf77 - This is homeland security. Deal with these terrorists like terrorists. They're keeping shoppers out of the city. They're making residents more than just a little uncomfortable and piles of tax money is being used in a this game of wack-a-mole.— philsoutthecomment
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- Revoke welfare for one year for any parent whose child participated in this.— Echo
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Why wasn't this situation addressed in the Spring when these mobs were a POTENTIAL threat.
As usual locking the barn door after the horses are out - imagine the National publicity we're getting and what that's doing toward encouraging tourists to make Philadelphia a destination city.
These are NOT flash mobs but animals on the loose. Remove most of those laws that 'over-protect" minors. In other countries, 14 yr olds are soldiers already. Send these criminals to the front lines and see how "flash mob" they can get there.- These are NOT flash mobs but animals on the loose. Remove most of those laws that 'over-protect" minors. In other countries, 14 yr olds are soldiers already. Send these criminals to the front lines and see how "flash mob" they can get there.— DoomsdayCritic
- The solution for hooligans should be simple, this should treated as a civil disturbance, a riot, and handled in that manner. Put these people in jail for at least two years, no exceptions. They should pay for all property damage and injuries.— Peter of Manassas
- Make it happy hour the next time they riot with a few molotov cocktails.— TPaine
- Solution, Glock 26, with extended magazine. Simple Enough.— AntiLib
- The plan is going to be nothing. Yes, nothing. Nutter and Ramsey don't like to anger their constituents, so you won't see increased foot and bike patrols. Nobody wants to see the PPD fighting some of these choir boys that are in these mobs. And to tell the truth, no cop wants to be hung out to dry for doing their job. And that's what would happen if the PPD was allowed to handle these mobs appropriately.— Trident252
- Until three things happen, there will be no change.
First, parents need to be criminally charged and fined for actions of their juvenile perpetrator.
Secondly, these "youths" need to be treated tas adults and sent to appropriate boot camps and prisons, not simply put in "at risk" programs.
Third, the media needs to abandon its "we do not identify minors policy". Put their mug shots in the paper. Let everyone know who they are. Tell us the neighborhodd they live in, their parents names, what their parents do for a living.
The politically correct media, and liberal "justice system" perpetuate these activities and people.
Poor Johnny already has free housing, free food, free school, free internet, free transportation; and all he can find to do is attack an innocent taxpayer on the street.
Philadelphia - just one election away from being Detroit.— Taranis - how about make them clean up the streets, pick up trash, scrub graffiti, trim grass with little tiny scissors, take down abandoned houses ... you know restorative justice? putting these kids in a box will only get them to think they actually are tough because they "got a case" and did their "bid" so now they got "rep". then they will end up like zipcon, blaming victims of crimes for their lack of "toughness."
— Pluski - Comment removed.
- You are wrong. Not all victims of these incidents are white. I'm sure race is an element, but such targeting likely has more to do with socio-economic factors. — GoPhils09
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- What we need are high power pepper spray dispensers which can handle a Flash Mob crowd of 40-50 youngsters.— BobSG
- I always say speak softly and carry a large bottle of pepper spray.— BobSG
- Hit an angry mob with pepper spray and you will just make it angrier. No pepper spray container carries the amount of pepper spray needed to repel 30 or 40 individuals. Are you advocating people carrying quart-sized dispensers of pepper spray? — DonQ
Mandatory drug testing for all and fire anyone who refuses. Shoot to kill all known drug crazed thugs, ask questions later.- Young people need to learn about Bernard Goetz.— omseeker
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- every time you post about this you are thinking like the thugs who are robbing people. you continue to defend them and mock the victims. how do you know what criminals sense? and then you call the victims sweeties. are you a criminal and a homosexual? the latter, cool. but if you think a few teens twerps are going to reverse historical oppression by intimidating a few white people, son, you might be stupid. now every other African American in the city has to deal with more bigotry because of 40 chumps who think they run something. btw: the word "sweet" referring to people who don't like fighting is a Prison term.. so obviously you celebrate that culture of violent ingrates. ready for your cheese sandwich? — Pluski
- Are you blaming the victims of these mobs for prompting the mob to attack them? The worst kind of fool is a self-delusional fool. Count yourself as a member of the class. — DonQ
- I'm a licensed gun owner and I will do my best to avoid the possibility of getting caught in one of these mob attacks. The legal ramifications are simply stacked too heavily against a citizen using his legally-carried weapon against the mob. You bet that the one or two people in the angry mob you shoot will automatically cease to be a threat and become "unarmed victims". In fact, I can imagine there are people watching these happenings just itching to exploit such a turn of events for political purposes.— DonQ
- Exactly, because if you shoot one of them the other 40 will tstify that he "wasn't doing nothing." You know the drill.
He was an honor student, blah, blah and you'll go to jail.— gone with the wind - I can solve it: Throw him a basketball. No, no: Hide it under his work boots. No? This isnt a bad joke?— 19124
- Put them all to work through the summer. There are plenty of things that need to be done. They are getting a free ride for school so let them contribute back. Any teenager currently enrolled in public school should have to perform mandatory community service throughout the summer.— psyrus
- Nutter should give them a date that they can "flash mob". How about say, the day of the next Phillies WS PArade? Then we will outnumber them, and kick their heads in. Seems fair to me. Afterall, that's in essence what they are doing now.— somertonspartan
- How many more people will be hurt or even killed while Nutter is on vacation? The problem needs to be solved NOW.— Phil234
- My guess the plan is - You're on your own! Here's why: look back in history at all the instances where the police tried to quell violent youth disturbances - and what happened? RIOTS & LOOTING because somebody in the mob got hurt by the police! If the police go after these wolfpacks and they hurt someone, they'll use that as an excuse to riot! My guess the police won't do a thing - or they'll arrive after the fact to clean up the mess. They'll rely on camera shots to catch them but they won't do a thing to prevent it from happening in the first place. After all they are all just "troubled youths" & basically "good boys."— gone with the wind
- I agree with you completely. One of these "kids" is going to get seriously hurt by either police or by the wrong person they choose to attack and the media is going to have a field day! It's always what happens, a cop kills someone committing a crime and all the sudden it's " he was such a good person, he never did anything wrong." Everyone skirts around the race issues as well, which is pretty apparent. Somehow stating the obvious " look it's all black kids" makes you racist. It is what it is. If it was a group of white kids, or Asians, I would say the same thing. If Nutter keeps passing the buck, nothing is going to get done about it until they wind up killing someone. Then when the murderer is arrested it will be " HE DIDN'T DO IT" There is a serious lack of sense of personal responsibility in this City. Sad. — poor_philly
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- Although I am an advocate for gun rights, carrying a piece while having a couple of cocktails downtown is definitely not the answer.— ritmomente
- Here comes another penny increase in the sales tax to pay for the fight against the flash mobs. Come on, who wouldn't pay a penny to be safe?— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- I fear you may be onto something WVH. Nutter loves taxes like a fat kid loves cake. Why not another 'temporary' tax increase for counseling/mentoring programs for these Phlash-Mobbers ... might as well. Our tax dollars already go to shelter, feed, educate & incarcerate them. & we all see how well that's working out for us. (NUTTER IS BRUTAL!) — Kennedy
- I guess we now have to pay to put them all to bed at night too. — gone with the wind
- these actions just warrant me to carry my own weapon. whats a couple of cops going to do with 100 or more violent kids? tell me.— tulipwalk
- Isn't there a "Deputy-Mayor?" Some one to "act" as Mayor when the Mayor is unavailable. Why are they waiting. Implement away, and if it doesn't work when The Mayor gets back, change it. DO SOMETHING!!!— wpwadlinger
- There are LOTS of Deputy Mayors. More staff than any mayor in Philadelphia history. But lets cut services unless there is more money to hire more Deputy Mayors. — jn3
- The lack of pure logic and common sense in fighting this problem is beyond my comprehension. These punks do not to come one by one to the mob destination. There are large groups that are together somewhere prior to the violent outbursts. With everyone in creation having a cell phone, we have to police ourselves and in turn the police can do their jobs. Someone, including police, must see these mobs gathering and walking. Call the police then! Its impending violence. Is it a violation of their civil rights to just WATCH them or disburse groups of teenagers that are gathering? I think not. I have to wonder if anyone called the police BEFORE these punks got to wherever their destination was.
— Norf77 - Shoot em all.... Simple......— elfman
- Publish the pictures of the parents! And shoot the kids - and not just to stop - shoot to kill - because we all know where they are heading.— mikey5432
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- Mrbigdizzle you got the right idea my friend.— juicy@34
- of course, the poor troubled youth need more counseling and reaching out to... couldnt predict this response...— raynesrock
- " Nutter said the response plan would be unveiled the week of Aug. 8, after his scheduled return from vacation. "
C'mon, Mayor, you're going to leave the public at risk because of your vacation? Implement the plan NOW!— aviator - Comment removed.
- Who are these flash mobbers anyway? Latinos, Italians, Vietnamese, Jews, Penn Students, African-Americans? Would it be OK to shoot one of them in self-defense if they tried to attack me or my family, or would that be against the law?— Yankel
- Hmmmm.....is it possible that maybe just maybe the police can profile this and monitor larger groups of black youths in town. Rizzo is turning over in his grave.— moretoit
- The plan? Resurrect Frank Rizzo.— Bede19025
- You mean he is going to put this on the back burner and deal with it AFTER his vacation? WOW!!!!— tdoc
- When you have this kind of vioence (and lack of response) in the HEART of your business/cultural district --- it spells DOOM. We changed our weekend dining plans for a large group because of this last incident (many of the people coming into the city from SJ and the 'burbs -- ). Money lost for the restaurant and bar in CC -- surely we weren't the only ones. This "plan" is too little, too late, and too vague. Let's hope nothing else happens until after vacation, eh?— maude
- I wish a pack of young punks would try and attack me. I'd smoke 'em (Proud gat packing brother from Delaware County).— MrBigDizzle
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- Free vacation form Comcast - (If true) Thought Pay 2 play was a thing of the past? — Kennedy
- How long are we going to put up with this ?— Joe R.
- Counseling? Really Mayor Nutter, counseling will help.
God help this city. All we hear is this will not be tolerated, until it happens again. OMG we are in such trouble.— jersey girl - Just look at this horrible reporting. "A pack of four young men ...". Is that right? Only four people were in the mob? Pathetic reporting. Let's not report the truth, we might offend someone.— dontavoidtheobvious
- I wonder who will get the job as Deputy Mayor for Flash Mob Prevention? City council will now vote on a tax increase to pay for a new program for Flash mob prevention.— jn3
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- I can already see the "Constitutional" battle over an "individual's" rights being violated because the "security" cameras are now going to be "agents" of law enforcement.— wpwadlinger
- The Mayor is spinning...what has the City the police and the District attorneys office been doing since the first incident and the rest of the incidents....have they been sitting on their hands the same old story they did nothing.............Are we waiting for some one to be murdered....The Mayor and Police Commissioner need to be real about the problem and not spouting proverbs..like good little boy ssssssssss yes I sad it boys ssssssssssssssss.— realtime
- This is a huge problem - the city simply cannot let this continue to happen. I for one have stopped eating downtown - why risk a beating? And if I carry and shoot, then all of a sudden I'm Bernard Goetz and am plastered all over the news - the guy who shoots a poor urban teenager. (And he serverd jail time too, for defending himself on the subway.)
Free Birth control annoucend today, is a step in the right direction as too many of the parents of these thugs simply should be nuetered in some way. They have zero desire to be an actual parent.— Owatagoofiam - This needs to go beyond businesses. If these rioters are flooding SEPTA, then the booth attendees need to make the first contact. Have police near all subway stops. Block traffic on South Street (it appears these rioters end up on South Street) and have a heavy police presence there. Make fines for being part of these riots $1000. What's going to happen is legally armed citizens will end up using their guns for protection during a riot, and these rioters "parents [mother, grandmother, aunt]" will start crying about their "poor baby", and blame Philadelphia and the police.— Bruno Sammartino
Gee...I feel safer already.- Comment removed.
- You people are nuts. Seriously, are we really that shocked that young people en masse do dumb things? I was at the Phillies parade in 2008, I saw plenty of moronic (and some criminal) activity committed by adults. And we're talking about children here. I grew up in the suburbs and have seen some phenomenally stupid behavior committed by affluent teenagers. There were just no opportunities to gather in large groups because we didn't have social media or easy access to public transportation. — greengal
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- If one of them approaches you, it's not a flash mob. Sixty of them will be approaching you at once. — david
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- Do you even live in Philly? Nutter is doing an excellent job and everyone deserves a vacation, even you.
— SueMHP - Nutters a JOKE & the bigger joke is he's gonna win in a land slide. Thanks for not running KNOX, KATZ, WILLIAMS & GREENE (or ANYBODY else that could have actually given him a fight!) Reminds me of the 2004 presidential election ... Bush was awful but was easily re-elected. — Kennedy
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