Philadelphia shuts down dumpster pools with killjoy letter

The City of Philadelphia would like its citizens to know in no uncertain terms that having an awesome block party with a super-fun dumpster pool is absolutely not allowed.

The policy was announced in an imperious letter from the mayor's office, which deigned to offer the rabble three arguments against dumpster pools even though "you would think this decision would not require an explanation." The missive also places a permanent ban on party permits for the block whose dumpster party raised the issue, a ruling evidently intended to punctuate just how much city officials are "not screwing around."

As for those three reasons, they all appeal to public safety concerns like impeding hypothetical firefighting efforts by taking pool water from a fire hydrant. That sounds important and all, but come on, look at how great this party was. Bonnie Kristian

The Week

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