The Philadelphia Union are set to unveil their brand new home, PPL Park, today. However, that isn't the biggest news in Chester these days.
↵↵↵Eight days prior to the Union’s official home opening – today’s christening of PPL Park – and in the wake of the city’s 11th homicide this calendar year, Chester declared a state of emergency. All eyes should be on the city for all of the right reasons. But it has been mired in an ugly news cycle that political officials, residents and soccer fans would rather put behind them.
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Residents in certain high crime neighborhoods aren't allowed on the street between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. A permit is needed if 3 or more people want to get together and cops are working overtime... The problems haven't fazed the Union and it doesn't seem like it will keep fans away. The match is sold out, as are all season tickets this year. I haven't been able to get tickets to the match, but if I had I would have no qualms about heading up to Chester for the match. Chris Vito of the Delco Times said it best.
↵↵To fans with safety concerns, it’s as simple as this: Staying away from Chester because of a threat of violence is like avoiding all highways for fear of a car accident.
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