Combating tech-fueled flash mobs a new problem for police

With the help of cell phones and social networking sites, spontaneous swarms of youths have rushed into convenience stores or assaulted bystanders in a rash of "flash mobs" across the United States; law enforcement officials are struggling to find a way to effectively combat this new phenomenon which does not impede on privacy rights

With the help of cell phones and social networking sites, spontaneous swarms of youths have rushed into convenience stores or assaulted bystanders in a rash of “flash mobs” across the United States.

Most recently surveillance cameras recorded several dozen young people flooding into convenience stores in Germantown, Maryland and Washington, D.C. where they stole armfuls of snacks and drinks as employees watched helplessly.

Meanwhile earlier this month, city leaders in Philadelphia were forced to impose an early curfew on certain areas of the city after roving bands of teens beat and robbed residents in a wave of attacks across the city.

Police say the flash mobs were organized using cell phones and social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

> http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/combating-tech-fueled-flash-mobs-new-problem-police