Philadelphia looking for more volunteers to patrol during weekend curfew hours

This weekend Philadelphia police will enforce a tighter curfew: 9 p-m for those younger than 18 in University City and Center City. 

Mayor Michael Nutter announced the tighter curfew to try to prevent another mob attack.  Nutter also invited Philadelphians to do their part by joining the iPledge volunteers who will patrol the city streets through the rest of the summer.Erica Atwood, a spokesperson for the Mayor, says volunteers will be equipped with walkie talkies and cellphones to stay in touch with police, as well as iPledge and Town Watch T-shirts to help them stand out.  Atwood encourages people to volunteer,”If you can give us 30 minutes, we can make a difference,” said Atwood.Atwood says the best way for people to sign up to volunteer is by posting on the iPledge facebook page.  “Last weekend we had a good 20, 25 volunteers come out to Center City in various zones in and around City Hall and Love Park and around South Street to just continue to patrol to make the streets safe not only for young people, for residents, for visitors as well,” said Atwood.”You’d be surprised what the number 25 or 30 means,” said Anthony Murphy Executive Director of Town Watch Integrated Services.  “See we’re not covering an area where you would need 200 or 300 people on particular corner.  You need conscious individuals who have people-skills and they’re making those observations and they keep the atmosphere of Center City, wholesome. 

“I did a bike patrol.  We met at 15th and JFK,” said Murphy.  “We have three specific corners at this time which is 15th and JFK, 15th and Market, and 15th and Chestnut.  Each of those areas had a number of volunteers throughout  the evening.”Murphy insists the citizens of Philadelphia are not going to let the violence continue. The city is encouraging people who are not comfortable patrolling the streets to volunteer at their neighborhood library or school.