Officers from around Bucks County responded to Philadelphia Saturday evening to assist city law enforcement as unrest broke out in Center City.
Philadelphia authorities alerted the Bucks County Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) in late afternoon that their assistance was being requested. The unit, as of 8 p.m., was arriving in the city to receive orders from those officials, said Langhorne Borough police Chief John Godzieba, one of the team’s leaders.
Peaceful protests started Saturday afternoon but turned violent in the afternoon. City and state police vehicles were burned, buildings had windows smashed, and looters took to some stores.
The peaceful protest followed George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, who was charged on Friday. Peaceful protests leading to violence at night have taken place across the nation in recent days.
MIRT officers are not SWAT-trained but handle civil unrest, large crowds, and act as a force multiplier when needed. Officers from departments across the county are part of the team, Godzieba said.
Philadelphia’s mayor issued a curfew in the city through 8 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday.
