The Philadelphia Police Department has been at work for several days monitoring social media and keeping an eye on threats related to looting and other unrest in the city.
Philadelphia Police Chief Kevin Bethel shared some harsh words Friday as he discussed how the department will handle any looting.
“You’re not going to destroy this city,” Bethel said. “We are not playing today. But we will certainly be ready. If you want to come, we are ready and we will do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen and that means arrest,” he said .
Philadelphia police have warned people on social media to reconsider the chaos or go elsewhere.
“We will not allow individuals to walk through this city and loot. We are going to do our utmost to prevent that,” Bethel said. “It is unacceptable for individuals to post on a website that they are coming to loot 52nd Street.”
CBS Philadelphia
About a half hour after the police chief’s press conference Friday, CBS News Philadelphia went to 52nd and Market streets and shared Bethel’s words with area residents like Mike Love.
“I have to shake my head because it’s all just a bunch of bologna,” he said. “Because this is the most peaceful part. The only time we have a problem is when someone is riding around – they are young children under the age of 15, 16, who have little scooter bikes.”
Police sources told CBS News Philadelphia on Wednesday evening, amid encouraging calls on social media, a wave of additional officers cracked down on attempts to loot and destroy.
“Small businesses that are still struggling to bounce back from the latest looting are now having to close their doors and hire security because someone wants to post what they’re going to do online,” Bethel said.
There is already a sense of added security at 52nd Street and Market Street. Some companies have already added additional resources, but told CBS News Philadelphia they haven’t encountered any issues so far.
