Crime & Safety

Philadelphia Police Gearing Up For Holiday Weekend

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey held a press conference Friday to discuss how the force was preparing for the Fourth of July weekend.

Are you planning on heading downtown for any of the Fourth of July festivities planned this weekend? 

If so, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey is encouraging you to bring water, something to shade yourself with as weather reports say temperatures will be in the 90s and to take public transportation. 

"SEPTA will be running extra trains throughout the weekend," Ramsey said at a press conference Friday at the city's police headquarters on Race Street. "If you drive expect delays and don't expect to park near where you are going. The best advice I can give you is to take public transportation."

Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There will be additional bike, car, foot and mounted units patrolling the downtown area as well as a number of neighborhoods throughout the city, Ramsey said, adding that the preparations and precautions are similar to last year.  

In light of incidents that occured throughout the city last weekend, Ramsey also had some advice for city youth. 

Find out what's happening in Roxborough-Manayunkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Be mindful of your behavior," he said. "If criminal activity is going on where you are, get out of there. There will be consequences for your actions."

A number of video camera will be used this weekend to keep track of crowds but the commissioner would not give locations or specify the number of cameras.  

He also would not estimate how many additional officers would be patrolling. 

He did say that the department had to change schedules to ensure that there was a significant police presence this weekend. 

Although the force is mindful that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Ramsey said the city has not received any threats and that the approaching anniversary should not deter anyone from staying out of the city. 

"We are paying close attention to that but there have been no threats to the city, none at all," he said. "We encourage everyone to come out and have a good time, this is one of the biggest holidays of the year."


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