D.A. doing a walk-about to show South Street is safe

District Attorney Seth Williams will take a walk down South Street tonight to send the message that it's still safe to enjoy the city's nightlife despite the recent flash mobs.

Williams, who will be joined by members of the Queen Village and Bella Vista Neighborhood associations and local business owners, will begin walking along South Street from 9th to 2nd at about 10:30 p.m., said Tasha Jamerson, Williams' spokeswoman.

Before the walk, Williams will join Mayor Nutter and Nutter's family and members of City Council and their families for a rally at Headhouse Square to take a stand against flash mobs.

"They don't want it to continue," Jamerson said.

Thousands of young people converged on South Street last Saturday in the fourth flash mob to strike the city since December. Mobs of teens flooded the East Market Street corridor on Feb. 16 and March 3, shoving pedestrians, fighting and taunting police.

This week, 29 youths were convicted of rioting and other charges in both incidents. Another flash mob occurred at the Gallery Mall in December.

Williams said in a statement yesterday that he hopes to talk with teens who are out tonight about the importance of making smart and safe decisions.

"This is a chance to open some much needed dialogue with young people," Williams said in a statement. "They need to know there are more productive ways to spend their time than getting caught up in illegal activities."

He added: "They also need to be aware that if they do decide to engage in criminal acts, we will pursue and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."