In the face of an ongoing effort to improve one of Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods, dozens of businesses in Kensington will be forced to close daily after 11:00 pm if the Philadelphia City Council approves a bill.
The City Council’s Licenses and Inspections Committee approved the bill, which was spearheaded by District 7 Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada, who represents the Kensington area.
Lozada explained that these changes are a strategy to address outdoor drug trafficking and criminal activity in the neighborhood. “The goal is to ensure that we can eliminate that particular footprint that contributes to nuisance activity and interferes with the quality of life in the Kensington community. Let’s start addressing it now.”
The Puerto Rican councilwoman and lifelong resident of the district noted that she has received complaints from responsible business owners who have to clean up the mess in the morning. “It’s total chaos. The garbage, the number of people now sprawled out in front of the businesses.”
The project’s pilot area creates a kind of triangle. It spans from East Lehigh Avenue heading north to East Tioga Street along Kensington Avenue, and extends west to D Street and east to Frankford Avenue.
Within those boundaries, there are over 100 businesses, but only about two dozen may be affected by the mandate to close between 11:00 pm and not reopen until after 6:00 am.
The law will not affect bars or establishments with alcohol beverage sales licenses, which can serve until 2:00 am, but it will close take-out restaurants and bodegas.
The bill has the support of law enforcement
The bill is supported by law enforcement agencies responsible for the area. Francis Healy, deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), believes it can positively impact the crime and disorder historically occurring during nighttime hours in the area. “We believe this bill can create synergy with the plan being developed by the Philadelphia Police Department to address not only outdoor drug markets but also the overall quality of life for residents.”
At the moment, the bill, which also involved Councilmembers Jim Harrity, At Large; Michael Driscoll, District 6; and Anthony Phillips, District 9, faces no opposition. It is even planned to be implemented in other critical neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
Lee también:Philadelphia Council Members Announce Formation of Kensington Caucus
The proposed law restricting business hours is not a new concept. A similar one has been in effect in Camden, New Jersey, since 2012, requiring any business within 200 feet of a residential community to close at 11:00 pm on Sundays through Thursdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Some businesses attempted to fight and repeal it in court, but it was unsuccessful.
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