Are you talking Center City in Philidelphia? Seesh, I had no idea, I just looked it up on the map and almost stayed close to Liberty Park when we were were there a week ago.
I decided to stay at Penns Landing instead, It just looked nicer. No idea that it may be safer too. Maybe I'm wrong. That's why i avoid cities.
These incidents happened a few years back....usually the drunken riots are limited to Eagles games (DON'T come to the Linc with the visiting team's jersey on). We can hold large gatherings (Live 8, any 4th of July, Mummer's Parade) without too much trouble these days.
Center City is one of the safest areas of Philly, especially around Independence Mall. The bad parts of town are well away from there.