Philadelphia Police Warn Against Walking on Frozen Rivers

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The Philadelphia Police Department is urging people not to walk on the city's frozen rivers, such as the Schuylkill River, as the region continues to deal with freezing conditions. Officers have been dispatched to tell people to get off the ice, as it is illegal and poses a serious safety risk.

Why it matters

Walking on frozen rivers is extremely dangerous, as the ice may appear thick but can be weakened by the moving water underneath. Sudden changes in weather conditions can also make the ice unstable. Public safety officials are concerned about the potential for accidents and the need to rescue people who get stranded on the ice.

The details

Multiple people were spotted walking on the frozen Schuylkill River in Philadelphia on Sunday, prompting the police department to issue a statement warning that this activity is illegal and unsafe. Officers were dispatched to the area to tell people to get off the ice. Similar warnings have been issued in other cities, such as Pittsburgh, where residents are also being urged to stay off frozen rivers.

• Philadelphia has experienced 9 straight days of below-freezing conditions, with nearly 10 inches of snow.
• Monday will be the 10th consecutive day of freezing temperatures, the longest such stretch since 1979.
• The region may not get above freezing for another week or more, according to weather forecasts.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Philadelphia Police Department will continue to monitor the situation and dispatch officers to remove people from the frozen rivers, as necessary, to ensure public safety.