Philadelphia police were called to respond to 11 illegal car meetups across the city this past weekend, where large crowds and hundreds of vehicles took over intersections to perform donuts and set off fireworks. The events, which took place from Saturday night around 9:30 p.m. until early Sunday morning, occurred in various neighborhoods including Northeast Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Center City, and Spring Garden.
At a press conference on Sunday, Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy addressed the situation, stating that the police department will not tolerate such behavior. “We firmly believe that the actions last night were in retaliation for the aggressive measures we’ve been taking since Mayor Parker’s administration began,” Healy said. He further warned those involved in the meetups that authorities have gathered evidence and arrests are forthcoming. “If you think you got away last night, you didn’t,” Healy said. “When you hear that banging on the door, it will be us.”
The incidents began at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, when approximately 50 cars gathered at Bustleton Avenue. Police issued nine nuisance car citations and 15 citations to spectators. During the event, one driver attempted to flee by driving directly at officers, crashing into a civilian vehicle in the process. The driver has been identified, and an arrest warrant is pending.
At around midnight, 100 cars were reported drifting and driving recklessly near FDR Park at 20th and Pattison Avenue. Two individuals, including a juvenile, were arrested after crashing into a pole while trying to flee from police.
Another meetup occurred at Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street, where cars blocked the road and fireworks exploded in the street. Though no injuries were reported, the fire marshal was called to investigate.
By 1:30 a.m., about 100 cars had taken over the intersection of 25th and Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia, where cars were performing donuts and setting off fireworks. Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots, but no injuries or damage were caused by the gunfire. Police later recovered a live round, a shell casing, and an airsoft rifle from a nearby garage.
Around 3 a.m., a large crowd gathered near the Philadelphia Art Museum at 23rd and Pennsylvania Avenue, where fireworks and donuts caused further disruption, and several police vehicles were damaged.
The final incident occurred at 4 a.m. at Island and Bartram Avenues, where more than 200 cars were drifting and drag racing. Officers on the scene were attacked, and more police vehicles were damaged.
The chaos continued outside City Hall at 4:30 a.m., where more than 100 cars were drifting and setting rubbish fires. Several police vehicles were vandalized, with broken windshields and flat tires reported. A medic was called to the scene to assist a woman whose foot had been run over by a car.
Philadelphia Police noted that dozens of officers were deployed to address the illegal meetups, but safely stopping the events was not always possible due to risks to both officers and citizens. The department is now using evidence from cameras and other sources to investigate and make arrests, with authorities believing the events were coordinated.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Philadelphia Police at (215) 686-TIPS (8477).