PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In an effort to curb unruly behavior involving young people, the Fashion District in Center City has enacted a new policy requiring minors to be accompanied by an adult in the afternoons and evenings.
The mall’s code of conduct now states that those under the age of 18 need to be with a parent or supervising adult who is at least 23 years old past 2 p.m. each day. This is an expansion of the original rule that was only in effect on weekends — minors had to be with an adult 25 or older from Friday evening through Sunday.
Security and police can check for proof of age past 2 p.m., the Fashion District said. Mall employees who are under 18 could also be asked to show proof that they work there.
However, minors can pass through to get to their train at Jefferson Station, which is connected to the lower floor of the mall.
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The change was enforced in response to an “influx of unaccompanied minors” in Center City, the mall said in a notice that went out to Philadelphia School District families. “Unfortunately, in many cases, this has resulted in negative activity in and around Fashion District Philadelphia.”
On April 5, police said hundreds of young people caused a disturbance around the Fashion District and City Hall areas. Four teens, including one who had a fake gun, received disorderly conduct citations, according to police. One officer blew out his knee from chasing one of the teens.
The Fashion District is open until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 p.m. on Sunday.