But some local ministers and activists are doing their part to defuse the violence by reaching out to the city's youth that may get caught up in the moment.
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Members of the city's Black clergy and community leaders were walking the 52nd Street Corridor in West Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
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Philly mayor, police commissioner provide update on shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., civil unrest
"While we understand that young people are frustrated, we wanted to come out to the street to encourage them to think about how they channel that anger," said Rev. G. Lamar Stewart, a senior pastor at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church.
It was the first night of the city's 9 p.m. curfew following two straight evenings of unrest that touched off in response to the death of Wallace.
"We want to teach them on how to make a 5-year decision with this, rather than a 5-minute decision," said Pastor Darren Greenfield of Christ Church Center.
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Chopper 6 over looting in Philadelphia
The community leaders are meeting on the same corners where protesters have clashed with police. Faith leaders have spent the last 48 hours working to defuse rising tensions. And in this case, calling out outsiders with questionable intentions.
"People on this block have worked all of their lives to build housing, to invest into their legacy and no one has the right to take that away," said Melissa Robbins, cofounder of NE Against Racism.
Other activists used music and mobile trailers with basketball hoops attached to bring about a message of dialogue and not destruction.
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Philadelphia officer dragged by vehicle after looters ransack furniture store