Loitering Teens Not a First for Fridays

Hatboro’s First Friday was not designed with teens in mind – but that could change as officials look to find answers to droves of in the north end of the borough’s downtown. 

For last week’s event, Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner told the council during its Monday evening committee meeting, that police answered 10 calls between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

“Eight of these calls may not be First Friday, but they need to be answered,” Gardner said, adding that with two officers on, police can not monitor the arts and entertainment events, which run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month. “We are seeing more (kids) on other Friday nights, but this thing started on First Friday."

Gardner said police received calls for large groups of kids loitering at McDonald’s, at Wawa and at Eaton Park. Young people were seen “running around” near Horsham Road and Chester Avenue in the vicinity where car windows had been smashed, he said.

Bill George, president of the , said most of the problems happened outside of the First Friday area. In the south end of town, George said, “it was families. It was strollers.” 

“I don’t believe First Friday is necessarily the issue here,” George said. “I think the problem is trying to figure out what to do with these damn kids.”

In an attempt to find a solution, representatives from the chamber, the police department and the council’s public safety committee, plan to meet and discuss possible alternatives.

For starters, Chris Gowen, owner of , said management at Wawa and McDonald’s should take responsibility for kids congregating on their properties.

“If you allow them to do it they’re going to do it,” Gowen said. “The onus should be on (store staff) to start scattering the kids.”

Hatboro Mayor Norm Hawkes said he understands why employees call police.

“I would not want to be a Wawa employee and go out there and confront 50 kids,” said Hawkes, arguing that the issue of loitering kids is only an issue the first Friday of the month. “The problem is not every Friday. The problem is First Friday. Last Friday I saw six kids, the week before seven or eight.”

Regardless of when they hang out, all at Monday’s meeting agreed something must be done.

Gowen suggested “creating a venue” for teens and possibly providing a concert or a movie. 

Resident Bruce Hart recalled being chased out of town as a youngster some years ago.

“I remember the late 60s and the early 70s when they tried to get the kids out of town. I avoided York Road on those nights,” Hart said. “You got rid of them once, now you brought them back. I don’t understand it.”