Nutter beefs up police presence at Occupy Philly after reports of sexual assualt

    More police will patrol the encampment at Occupy Philadelphia, while the city reviews its options. The move comes after occupy decided it will not leave Dilworth Plaza to make room for a long-planned construction project.

    Mayor Michael Nutter says the Occupy Philadelphia group is not following the terms of its permit.  He cites health and security issues, including an alleged sexual assault in the compound.

    “These conditions are intolerable,” said Nutter. “Occupy Philly is not acting in good faith and it’s now abundantly clear that on many levels they are violating a range of city ordinances and the terms of their permit.”

    The mayor says officers will now patrol inside the occupy compound while he considers the next move.

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    “We are now at a critical point where we must reevaluate our entire relationship with this very changed group.  Occupy Philly has changed, so we must change our relationship with them,” Nutter added.

    The group voted not to move out late Friday to give the city the ability to begin a multi-million dollar renovation of the plaza.

    However individual members say they would be willing to move to an alternative spot across the street from their current encampment.

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