It was just a couple of weeks ago that it was still light at 9 p.m.
Now, at least in one part of Darby Borough, you have to be off the street by then.
Mayor Helen Thomas last night rolled out a tough new curfew, which will be enforced by Police Chief Bob Smythe and his officers. Adults and juveniles have to be off the street by 9 p.m.
Thomas declared the state of emergency Thursday night in response to a sudden spike of “shots fired” incidents.
Good for her.
I know this is not going to be a popular stance. I know some residents already are blasting the mayor’s actions. I know that a certain former mayor is likely to say this is all politics.
None of that changes the fact that nothing else has worked to stop the violence that plagues certain sections of the borough.
Thomas is now ordering people off the street in an area along Main Street, from Front to Fifth, and extending to Greenway Avenue. All of the streets are located in the Third Ward’s Second Precinct.
Police are stopping anyone they see on the streets after 9 p.m. and asking them to show some form of ID.
It was just a couple of months ago that Ollie Cloyd was gunned down on the street outside his home. Recently a similar incident occurred, with a youth firing shots into building while riding a bicycle.
I don’t know if what the borough is doing is legal. I suppose we will find out soon enough.
But something had to be done.
They’ve held too many vigils in Darby Borough. Now it’s time to change things. Now it’s time for action.
Residents may not like living under these conditions. I don’t blame them. But unless someone has a better idea, or one that won’t cost a fortune, this is at least a starting point.
If it stops one more person from winding up like Ollie Cloyd, it will have been worth it.
Now, at least in one part of Darby Borough, you have to be off the street by then.
Mayor Helen Thomas last night rolled out a tough new curfew, which will be enforced by Police Chief Bob Smythe and his officers. Adults and juveniles have to be off the street by 9 p.m.
Thomas declared the state of emergency Thursday night in response to a sudden spike of “shots fired” incidents.
Good for her.
I know this is not going to be a popular stance. I know some residents already are blasting the mayor’s actions. I know that a certain former mayor is likely to say this is all politics.
None of that changes the fact that nothing else has worked to stop the violence that plagues certain sections of the borough.
Thomas is now ordering people off the street in an area along Main Street, from Front to Fifth, and extending to Greenway Avenue. All of the streets are located in the Third Ward’s Second Precinct.
Police are stopping anyone they see on the streets after 9 p.m. and asking them to show some form of ID.
It was just a couple of months ago that Ollie Cloyd was gunned down on the street outside his home. Recently a similar incident occurred, with a youth firing shots into building while riding a bicycle.
I don’t know if what the borough is doing is legal. I suppose we will find out soon enough.
But something had to be done.
They’ve held too many vigils in Darby Borough. Now it’s time to change things. Now it’s time for action.
Residents may not like living under these conditions. I don’t blame them. But unless someone has a better idea, or one that won’t cost a fortune, this is at least a starting point.
If it stops one more person from winding up like Ollie Cloyd, it will have been worth it.
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