What Pennsylvania’s disorderly-conduct law covers
Pennsylvania’s disorderly-conduct statute covers specified conduct in a place open to the public when a person intends to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly risks doing so. The offense can rise to a third-degree misdemeanor in certain circumstances, including persisting after a reasonable warning to stop; otherwise, it is a summary offense, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
The arrest
Police went to the 1200 block of Filbert Street after witnesses reported a disturbance involving Carolyn Marvin and an Uber delivery robot, 6abc reported. Marvin was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct in connection with the incident, the station said.
In the police account described by 6abc, Marvin blocked the robot’s route and did not move after officers repeatedly ordered her to do so. The station also reported that video of the encounter drew online attention.
Marvin told 6abc she objected to delivery robots because she believes they are replacing human workers. She described her sidewalk demonstration as protected speech, saying, “I think it’s my First Amendment right” to protest against the robots.
The delivery service
Uber Eats introduced delivery robots in Philadelphia through a partnership with Avride in March, with service initially limited to Center City, CBS Philadelphia reported. The station described Philadelphia as the fourth city for Avride’s robots, after Austin, Dallas and Jersey City; the service was available through the Uber Eats app at participating restaurants, according to CBS Philadelphia.
Speed limits for delivery devices
PennDOT’s operating limits cap personal delivery devices at 12 mph in pedestrian areas and 25 mph on roadways or shoulders, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
