No More Liscense Plate Flippers, Skill Games and A Kensington Curfew From Mayor Parker
by Alex Lloyd Gross
There is a public safety crisis in Philadelphia. Things went from bad to worse, when former Mayor James Kenney failed to address the epidemic crime problem in Kensington. Now, Cherelle Parker, the new mayor is trying. To address crime you also have to address quality of life issues.
This week,she signed three bills to take measures that she thinks will be helpful in Kensington. The first is making license plate flippers illegal. When drivers know they are approaching a traffic camera, they will use the slipper to change the plate, or lift the plate This is also used for license plate readers. This bill takes away someones ability to hide their identity when they commit a crime or infraction.
Introduced by City Council member Mike Driscoll in February and signed by Mayor Parker yesterday, Bill No. 240089-A prohibits the use of license plate flipping devices. License plate flipping devices refer to a manual, electric, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle and switch between two or more license plates for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the license plate displayed on the operator’s vehicle.
The second is Prohibition on Certain Gambling Machines and Skills Games (Bill No. 210923), introduced by City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. and signed by Mayor Parker on Wednesday, this bill prohibits electronic skill games, which resemble slot machines seen in casinos, and make it unlawful for a business to operate any casino-style or skill game that accepts cash payment for the chance of a cash reward and is not otherwise regulated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Alex Lloyd Gross/File Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Kensington Avenue
“As we wait for relief from our partners at the state, we must address the unfavorable conditions in our communities,” said City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. “Nuisance locations are not one negative thing, but many negative things coming together.”
The last thing on the agenda was Introduced by Councilmember Lozada in January, and signed by Mayor Parker on Wednesday, (Bill No. 240013-A02), establishes a curfew, which took effect immediately, now requires businesses without liquor licenses located between Kensington and Frankford venues and Lehigh Avenue and Tioga Street to close at night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. This curfew will take away the urge to eat at late night take out places, for those working the third shift, It also kills jobs for those that were employed at these places during the third shift.