Illegal car meetings lead to violence throughout Philadelphia; 1 police officer injured in accident

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Hundreds of cars and large crowds behaving recklessly led to several Philadelphia police officers and their cars being attacked over the weekend.

The authorities reported a total of eleven illegal car meetings, six of which allegedly involved excessive violence and destruction.

According to police, one officer had to be hospitalized because of the chaos.

“Everything they do is disruptive, they destroy the quality of life,” said Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram of the Philadelphia Police Department. “At one point they had a flamethrower with them. Yes, there is a video with a flamethrower.”

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According to officials, the illegal car meetings began around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and lasted until 4:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Police said they responded to incidents in the 7400 block of Bustleton Avenue, 20th Street and Pattison Avenue, Island and Bartram Avenues, and 15th and Market Streets.

“They can quickly disperse and then regroup in another location. That's why we have special officers. It's like whack-a-mole. We hit them immediately and they move on to another location,” Cram explained.

Video obtained by Action News shows a large crowd gathered in front of City Hall, which used to be a meeting place for drivers performing burnouts and stunts.

At one point the cars spun around a ring of fire.

“It's dangerous, honestly. I'm amazed – it's extremely dangerous for them and the people walking on the street,” said Drew Murray of Logan Square.

“It was the aggressiveness in some places – the incident in front of City Hall was aggressive. They were physically aggressive towards our officers,” Cram added.

According to police, several officers were attacked, at least five police cars were damaged – including the mobile police station at the corner of 15th and Market Streets – and about 200 vehicles were involved in the incident over the course of the night.

The damage to the police vehicles included shattered windshields and flat tires.

“They don't care about your safety, their own safety. You've all seen the videos of their behavior. How much chaos can they cause?” asked Cram.

According to police, some drivers also tried to run over police officers. Instead, they crashed into an unmarked vehicle.

Investigators told Action News that a Philadelphia police officer was injured in an accident while being called to one of the incidents.

The accident scene was at around 3:30 a.m. on Fox Street at Abbottsford Avenue

According to police, the officer's vehicle was hit by another car that fled the scene of the accident.

The officer's condition is reported to be stable at Temple University Hospital.

Investigators believe the reckless action was a retaliatory response to recent efforts at police reform.

Action News reported earlier this year that Philadelphia police had set up a mobile unit to disperse car gatherings and groups of ATV riders on the streets.

Both are illegal and can result in felony charges.

“Not only will you have to pay a $2,500 fine, but we will now give you your car. It will also be confiscated,” Cram said.

Authorities told Action News that police will not tolerate this behavior.

“We have a photo of you and we are coming to get you. If you think you escaped last night, you are wrong,” said Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy, chief of staff of the Philadelphia Police Department.

“If you hear that knock on the door, it's us. We're coming with search warrants and arrest warrants. Don't think we're going to allow that in our city, we won't,” Healy added.

Anyone who fled the scene last night will reportedly face charges of fleeing from police, authorities say.

Investigators are asking anyone with video of these incidents to forward it to police. Anyone with information can also call 215-686-TIPS.