The newest term in the vocabulary of top officials of larger municipalities these days is "flash mob," whereby young criminals and hooligans can be mobilized through social networking.

Everett Gillison, Philadelphia's deputy mayor for public safety, described how easily such mass gatherings can be coordinated."They can communicate and congregate at a moment's notice. That can overwhelm any municipality," he said.Gillison's remarks accompanied comments by his boss, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who condemned teenagers involved in flash mob incidents. A number of people have been injured in his city in recent weeks and in light of the chaos we've been seeing on the streets of London this week, Nutter's concerns are well-founded.The mayor translated his words into action by initiating a new curfew.As the chief law enforcement official who heads the entire police department, Pennsylvania's mayors are authorized to enforce the ordinances, preserve the order, enforce resolutions and remove nuisances.Designed to stopping violence in the heart of Philadelphia, Nutter's executive order changes the curfew to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for those under 18 until further notice in the "targeted enforcement districts." In other non-targeted areas, those under 18 must be home by midnight.Nutter is hopeful that the new curfew can be lifted in September.Curfew violators face stiff penalties, including a $100-$300 fine for first-time offenders and the possibility of a trip to jail and a call home. Repeat offenders face a $500 fine.The mayor's order does not leave the parents of violators off the hook. Parents of any minors who are convicted of criminal acts while out after curfew will be held responsible for their child's actions. His order stipulates that parents are "subject to imprisonment for up to 90 days for repeat curfew violation offenses."We applaud Nutter for carrying out his oath of office to protect the lives of citizens.Regarding parenting, the 77-year-old movie actress Shirley Jones reflected about her own life while attending her 59th high school reunion last weekend in southwestern Pa."I really wish I could have raised my children the way I was raised," she told a friend at the gathering.She does not stand alone in that observation.By Jim Zbickjzbick@tnonline.com