(National File) The popular convenience and gas station chain WaWa plans on halting its Philadelphia expansion plans due to surging crime in the city.
A location in Mayfair was recently the subject of national news after close to 100 “teens” ransacked the store. The teens stole large quantities of merchandise and even damaged cars in the parking lot.
Philadelphia City Council Member Mike Driscoll recently confirmed that WaWa — which has already closed multiple locations within city limits — may halt its expansion plans entirely.
Philadelphia police are investigating the incident, which they have described as a “riot,” though with limited success as a number of the suspects are juveniles. The flash mob caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the Wayfair-based Wawa, according to the Philadelphia Police Department (PDD).
Mike Driscoll, a Democrat member of Philadelphia’s City Council, revealed that the company is considering the closure of the location during a public forum hosted by the Philadelphia Real Estate Alliance.
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Mike Driscoll told the Inquirer that WaWa’s potential exit concerns him greatly, adding his belief that the city’s crime crisis will continue to drive businesses away if left unaddressed.
“My concern is that the ongoing violence and sense of lawlessness right now could likely result in a business of any size to consider their future role and position in our City,” Driscoll told the Philadelphia Inquirer in an email.
“I believe that Wawa was the latest expression of this concern after the recent incident they experienced in my district and previously in Center City. We need to take immediate bold action if we are going to solve the ongoing public safety crisis, and we need to ensure our residents and businesses are safe in their neighborhoods.”
Philadelphia has dealt with a massive crime wave under the leadership of Soros-backed District Attorney Larry Krasner. In addition to a surging homicide rate that has made Philadelphia the most dangerous big city in America, the City of Brotherly Love has seen armed robberies spike by 60% in 2022.
