On a late walk through South Philly, last night I was treated to this holiday season’s worst trickery on East Passyunk, catching glimpses of Mischief Night in full-effect. Bits of egg dripped from windows on Tasker, toilet paper hung from trees on 8th Street, and I watched a group of kids stuff potatoes in car exhaust pipes or launch them at moving cars. Littering at its most violent, I watched two youths slam frozen water bottles into windshields on the run. Broken windows, smashed pumpkins, dented cars: I’m certain the mischief there was only one of many horror stories for the evening.
Michael Nutter has repeatedly mentioned neighborhood responsibility and I imagine the bulk of the damage came at the hands of neighborhood kids. Is this a Streets Department issue, or does it merit the Police Department’s attention? And while it may not end the tradition, I think this annual day of debauchery would best be countered by a 311-system.
Thoughts on 311 or neighborhood horror stories of your own? Don’t be afraid to share.
