Penn's efforts to spruce up the west end of campus may have been a little too successful.
The increasingly attractive 40th Street corridor has drawn more business to the area. But it's also drawn larger crowds, both from Penn and the surrounding community.
Recently, the Division of Public Safety and city police have noticed incidents involving disorderly crowds of teenagers congregating on 40th Street between Spruce and Walnut streets. Local businesses also began posting signs about Philadelphia's curfew, which prohibits those under 18 from being out unaccompanied between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between midnight and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
But for the curfew to work, it needs to be enforced.
Active, consistent and uniform enforcement of the curfew policy would help break up rowdy crowds and diffuse any potentially dangerous situations before someone gets hurt.
DPS's efforts to work with businesses will improve the situation. Increasing lighting and police coverage can help ensure that the west end of campus will be able to safely accommodate larger crowds of residents, teenagers and students. In the meantime, though, police should take better advantage of existing laws.
Penn's vision for the 40th Street corridor has made it a community focal point for commercial activity. It's important that security efforts keep pace with growth.
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