Repeat?

As the Phillies head to their second World Series appearance in as many years, Temple and Philadelphia Police announce a zero-tolerance policy.

As the Phillies head to their second World Series appearance in as many years, Temple and Philadelphia Police announce a zero-tolerance policy.

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WALBERT YOUNG TTN Celebratory crowds gather in Center City to celebrate this year’s Phillies NLCS win.

Rob Lipson, a self-proclaimed Phillies fan, said he’s watched YouTube videos showing much worse celebratory damage than Philadelphia saw following last year’s World Series win.

“I’ve seen kids from other cities,” the senior history major said. “It was nothing in Philly.”

On Oct. 16, nearly a week before the Phillies clinched the National League Championship Series win, Temple Police issued a statement to all students that they and Philadelphia Police would be enforcing a zero-tolerance policy at Phillies-win celebrations to “prevent injuries and damages.”

In boldface font, the e-mail read, “Most importantly, Philadelphia Police will not allow anyone to march to City Hall.”

Last year, Center City near City Hall experienced looting, broken windows, downed streetlight poles and other forms of vandalism.

“Things that would normally be ignored will not this year,” Campus Safety Services Executive Director Carl Bittenbender said. “The Philadelphia Police do not want people to march. If students march in the street, [they] will most likely be arrested.”

Bittenbender said the police want students to have fun but to party safely, adding that Main Campus had very few problems last year, save a few damaged cars when the Phillies won the National League Championship Series.

Philadelphia Police Department spokeswoman Officer Jillian Russell confirmed that the Philadelphia Police will be employing a zero-tolerance policy citywide, but declined to comment further.

When the Phillies won the NLCS last week, students gathered outside on Liacouras Walk, and people celebrated on South Broad Street with no reported incidents.

“Honestly, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do,” junior psychology major Todd Parham said of the police’s zero-tolerance policy, citing that the city doesn’t have much money to repair anything that may be damaged by rowdy, celebrating crowds.

But, Parham said, the celebrations could boost the morale of the city.

“It’s good for the city,” the Philadelphia-born student said. “It’s normally very depressing here. People need all the fun they can have.”

Morgan Zalot can be reached at morgan.zalot@temple.edu.

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