{
  "id": 18319,
  "title": "‘You’re not wanted’: Philly teens who feel unwelcome downtown call for more ‘third spaces’ during summer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/30/youre-not-wanted-philly-teens-who-feel-unwelcome-downtown-call-for",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-07-30T16:49:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Chalkbeat",
    "slug": "chalkbeat",
    "url": "https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/07/30/third-space-needed-to-address-philly-teen-safety/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A group of Philadelphia teens are calling for the city to create more \"third spaces\" for young people during the summer months, as they feel unwelcome in many public areas. These spaces, other than work or school, serve as social gathering points that experts say can reduce stress, boost confidence, and improve academic motivation.\n\nRiyaz Brown-Cheeseboro, 17, was recently escorted out of a mall mall by security despite merely shopping alone. The mall requires anyone under 18 to be accompanied by an adult after 2 p.m. Similar incidents have occurred at convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, university campuses, and parks.\n\nKharma Hillian, 19, says she often feels unwelcome in public spaces, feeling that her presence is unwelcome. Recent \"teen takeovers\" on social media, where large groups of teens gather in public spaces, have led to police involvement in incidents of violence and shootings in other cities.\n\nLocal students are working on a video segment for PSTV, the School District of Philadelphia's television station, advocating for more youth-centered third spaces. However, many existing city sanctioned spaces for young people are in poor condition, with some recreation centers and parks in disrepair.\n\nThe city allocates far more funding to police than to Parks and Recreation, despite the need for more community spaces where teens feel safe. Improving these spaces could prevent unnecessary police involvement and the potential for youth to get entangled in the juvenile justice system.",
  "summary": "Earlier this year, 17-year-old Riyaz Brown-Cheeseboro walked into Center City’s Fashion District mall to do some afternoon shopping. She was by herself and minding her own business, she said, but mall security still escorted her out. “They asked me for an ID, they walked me away, and I didn’t…",
  "key_points": [
    "Philadelphia teens demand more \"third spaces\" during summer.",
    "Young people feel unwelcome in many public areas.",
    "City prioritizes police funding over Parks and Recreation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}