7 months after the ban was passed, and one month after warnings first issues these two officers are among a small army who are now handing out tickets.
Carl Solarek was one of the unlucky ones.
"I just had a message go off. I just left my office. I looked at my phone to see what the message was, and the next thing I saw, lights behind me, and here I am."
Moments later, Jill Jewel was there too caught, and copping to it.
"It was my fault, I knew, you know, it shouldn't happen. I yell when other people do it, so I shouldn't have been doing it."
Solarek and Jewell, neither of whom said they were aware of the city's ban, will now have to pay a fine of $75, which balloons to $150 if not paid within ten days. If they're caught again, they could be on the hook for up to $300.
There is no state law banning texting or talking this ban only applies within Philadelphia city limits. If you drive through the city on I-95, 676 or the Schuylkil it is illegal to use a hand held device there too but since those highways are patrolled by state troopers and not city police you're unlikely to get stopped.
