Police out in force to prevent rampage

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - June 7, 2009 - But, as they gathered in the overnight hours, police were ready to prevent any more acts of vandalism and violence.

A cavalcade of mounted state troopers, officers on foot and in vehicles combed through the crowds on South Street.

Philadelphia Police stepped up patrols to avoid violent incidents like ones seen over the past two weekends.

Last weekend, a car was smashed and a mini-market was ransacked by a mob that was organized over the internet.

More than 50 people were taken into custody for curfew violations and several more for disorderly conduct.

Although large, police say the crowd was, for the most part, orderly.

"It's a guarantee that we'll be addressing this problem all summer long. It's something that we're not going to allow to happen again, and hopefully people around the city will enjoy themselves and start coming back down here to South Street," said Lt. Gerard McShea of the Philadelphia Police.

At least one fight broke out at about 2:30 a.m. on the 400 block of South Street.

One person was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

Police did make an arrest in that assault.

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