Authorizing Council's Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to investigate how to properly mitigate the proliferation of street peddling by minor children under the age of 18 in the City of Philadelphia, so as to promote a range of public objectives from traffic flow to business regulation, and most importantly of all to ensure the safety and welfare of the children of Philadelphia, while directing youthful energy toward instructive and community activities.

WHEREAS, Youth peddling has become an unfortunately common practice on the streets of, among other cities, Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Unlicensed peddling and child labor are unlawful in the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Enforcement of safety, licensing, and other requirements has been minimal, both in Philadelphia and in cities across the country; and

WHEREAS, Exploitation and coercion of our children by others/adults for financial gain is an unacceptable fate for our children and an unconscionable practice for their abusers; and

WHEREAS, Youth peddling endangers the child-vendors' physical safety by locating them in busy intersections throughout Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, On-street sales and the presence of people on the roads interfere with traffic flow, particularly at peak travel times, heightening dangers to drivers, pedestrians, and bystanders; and

WHEREAS, Such activities detract both from the sales of properly licensed businesses and vendors, as well as from the legitimate sales revenue of the City; and

WHEREAS, Consumers are exposed to risks from potentially deceitful or malicious illicit dealers; and

WHEREAS, Faith in genuine fundraising is undermined because citizens are inundated by supposedly charitable offers, some of which are operating for personal financial gain; and

WHEREAS, Pertinent legislation, regulation, or best practices to discourage youth peddling has been absent in cities around the country; and

WHEREAS, Opportunities for our children to engage in non-coercive activities abound in our neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Comprehensive solutions to steer youth toward programs to educate, mentor, and cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit is needed; and

WHEREAS, Bridging the gap between our vision for kids and the reality of youth peddling can be addressed with expert insight; now therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes Council's Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings to investigate how to properly mitigate the proliferation of street peddling by minor children under the age of 18 in the City of Philadelphia, so as to promote a range of public objectives from traffic flow to business regulation, and most importantly of all to ensure the safety of the children of Philadelphia, while directing youthful energy toward instructive and community activities.

End