A.C. Flash Mobs Prove To Be Tame

PHILADELPHIA - Union workers from Atlantic City converged on Philly Wednesday for what were billed as spontaneous "flash mobs."

That sounds scary, but Philadelphia police said they had it under control.

A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse.

Wednesday's "mobs" were really just performing song and dance routines. The union workers who organized them said they wanted to remind people of how fun Atlantic City is.

Police were out in front of the controlled and pre-planned events, which proved to be tame, but "flash mobs" aren't always, Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser reported.

Part of the reason police try to keep such a tight reign is because unplanned ones, especially those initiated by teenagers, have gotten out of control. You may remember last summer a "flash mob" along South Street turned into a vandalism spree.

Speaking before Wednesday events, Raphine Smith, a bartender at Tropicana and a 15-year member of UNITE HERE Local 54 said, "Our union is made up of about 14,000 members. We're doormen, food service employees, bartenders, and hospitality workers at Atlantic City's biggest hotels and casinos. We wanted to do something fun to remind people of AC and the Jersey Shore as a place to visit."

The performances were staged at the following locations:

• 2 p.m. – Valley Forge Mall, Phoenixville, PA
• 3 p.m. – The Gallery at Market East, Food Court, Philadelphia, PA
• 4 p.m. – Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, PA
• 4:30 p.m. - 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA