Head of public safety lectures students on “flash mobs”

At Dobbins High School on April 14, a top public safety official urged students, who are studying the hospitality industry, not to participate in flash mobs.

The City of Philadelphia is taking its campaign against violent flash mobs to high school students.

Yesterday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, a top public safety official urged students who are studying the hospitality industry not to participate in flash mobs.

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison warned more than 100 high school students that the recent flash mob violence could wipe out their careers.

“If people felt that this was a place that was, for some reason, unsafe, they wouldn’t come,” Gillison said. “They wouldn’t need anybody to help serve them…Less business less employees, less employees less opportunity, less opportunity means we all suffer.”

Hundreds of students have turned out for recent flash mobs that have led to attacks on pedestrians and damage to property.