PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Police in Philadelphia detained 22 teens for allegedly violating a 9 p.m. curfew in some parts of the city, officials said.
The teens are among the first charged with violating a curfew prohibiting anyone under 18 from being on the streets after 9 p.m. in targeted areas, CNN reported Saturday.
Philadelphia police spokesman Ray Evers said the teens ranged in age from 14 to 17.
The earlier curfew was initiated by Mayor Michael Nutter after a string of mob attacks by young people. Nutter said the teens are alerted of flash meetings via e-mail and other social media.
"It's a growing problem in this country," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey.
One teen, visiting friends in the area, put the earlier curfew to a test, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
"They shouldn't be able to violate my rights," said Ryan Stanton, 16, who came from Mount Laurel to visit friends. "If the cops ask me, I'm going to explain why I have the right to assemble peacefully."
The explanation didn't work out to well for Stanton, who was picked up by a police van about 9:15 p.m. Friday.
"We're going to take this very seriously," Evers said. "We're setting a tone, and that's important."
First-time violators face fines up to $150; second offenders can be fined up to $300.
