After fatal May 23 shooting, Chester mayor announces strict summer curfew and youth safety initiatives

Mayor Ruth addressed the City of Chester Council May 28 to announce immediate measures following a May 23 shooting that left a 16-year-old dead and four others wounded. The mayor said the city will strictly enforce its curfew for minors from June 1 through Aug. 31 to reduce late-night incidents and increase youth safety.

"This senseless violence is a tragic reminder of the urgent need to protect our neighbors and our youth," the mayor said, describing the May 23 incident in which two people fled on foot and five victims were found with gunshot injuries, including a 16-year-old who died.

Under the mayor’s direction, the city's curfew—already on the books—will be enforced nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for minors under 18, the mayor said; exceptions include travel to or from a school-sanctioned event, a religious activity, or a place of employment when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Commissioner Katrina Blackwell of the Chester Police Department described enforcement procedures and emphasized that the policy’s intent is accountability rather than punishment. "The citation it will be tracked by citations. And before they go to a judge, the idea is not to punish the parent or be punitive, but the idea is to make them accountable," Blackwell said. She said officers may either transport a juvenile to a parent or require the parent or guardian to come to the police department, depending on manpower and circumstances, and that officers must treat young people respectfully while enforcing curfew.

The mayor also announced proactive community responses: a Safe Summer Fair scheduled for May 29 from 5–8 p.m. in the community room to connect families with over 20 vendors offering summer programs and enrollment information; partnerships with nonprofit groups such as Making a Change Group to provide targeted intervention and mentorship for ages 10–21; and placement of recent program graduates into city jobs (parks department hires were cited).

Council members and community speakers emphasized youth employment and training as part of violence prevention. A council member suggested convening a youth employment summit to connect local businesses with job-ready youth, and local organizers described recurring community events such as Team Stride’s anti-violence basketball event and neighborhood clean-up efforts aimed at creating safe spaces.

The mayor also mentioned other summer activities available to families, including the Memorial Park pool (opened when weather permits) and complimentary tickets to four Philadelphia Union 2 matches, available by request through Chester City Connect or the mayor’s office.