Individuals accused of summary offenses in the Center City area in the next few weeks will come before one of the city’s openly gay judges next month for the second round of 6th District Nuisance Night Court.
The court session will return Aug. 6, with Common Pleas Court Judge Dan Anders presiding, after the inaugural effort last month brought swift sentences to several dozen accused of minor crimes in the area.
At the June community court, 41 cases came before Anders involving summary offenses loitering, obstructing the highway and alcohol violations.
Of the cases, 12 crimes took place in the 13th Street corridor in the Gayborhood. Sixteen were committed in the district north of Vine Street and 13 occurred in the remainder of the district, most in Old City.
Sixth District Officer Joe Ferrero said only about eight of the 41 offenders didn’t show up for their hearing.
“We were kind of surprised because we thought for sure we’d have people who wouldn’t show up,” Ferrero said. “As it got closer to the time, we only had about two guys there and then all of a sudden there were 20 guys waiting to get in.”
Anders approached Ferrero about launching the program earlier this year, after having presided over such programs in all corners of the city, including every three months in his own neighborhood in the 17th District.
“It’s a good way to address issues that are impacting neighborhoods that perhaps, without it, would not be given as high a priority,” Anders explained.
Of the defendants who pleaded or were found guilty, Anders gave individuals the option of a fine, typically around $223.50, or community service at volunteer sites, including Broad Street Ministries, Chinatown Civic Association or the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.
Community-service sentences, usually about 20 hours, could also be carried out at other nonprofits in the city of the individual’s choice that participate in the program.
However, since the sentences were imposed, there have been some difficulties with defendants attending their scheduled community-service sessions.
Despite the challenge in getting the community service completed, 6th District Lt. Pat Agozzino said night court is effective in cutting down on lengthy court proceedings.
“We would definitely label it a success. It’s very judicially efficient and a good tool to use,” he said.
Ferrero agreed the process is beneficial.
“We have the judge right there and it takes away a lot of the burden from the system, which is already overburdened,” he said.
Anders said that, since the program is new, organizers may need to reevaluate the reasons for absenteeism, such as challenges with available hours.
For those who intentionally shirk their sentences, Anders can reinstate a fine, which, if not paid by a certain deadline, can result in a bench warrant.
Drug or alcohol abuse sometimes factors into these cases, and Anders noted that his sentences take that into account.
“There are sometimes extenuating circumstances. We’ve had instances were it’s been an open-container violation, and I’ll order them to go to 20 AA meetings or some other substance-abuse meeting and then send me a letter saying they went,” Anders said. “The goal of this program is not to penalize people but rather to have them understand that when they litter or they loiter, it creates issues in the neighborhood where they may or may not live but where residents can feel unsafe or not as proud of their neighborhood.”
The first night-court session focused on offenses that occurred the preceding week and that evening, lasting until 3:30 a.m.
The August session begins at 7 p.m., and proceedings will address offenses committed in the prior two weeks.
Organizers are still looking for nonprofits in the 6th District who want to participate as a community-service site. If interested, contact Ferrero at 215-686-3060.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].