By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — There was a coup of sorts today at Philadelphia City Hall.

Mayor Michael Nutter surrendered his office for the day to Police Athletic League delegate Erin Dwyer, from the Tacony PAL club.

The mayor also welcomed 25 other PAL Day student representatives to a “takeover” of City Hall offices, under the careful watch of their mentors who actually hold them.

Dwyer, a 17-year-old senior at Nazareth Academy High School in the Northeast, says she is interested in working to find solutions to the rise in crime and violence in the city.

“There’s only so much that schools and government can do, and it really starts in the home,” she said, “and it’s like we have to challenge our parents and even our teens.”

Nutter praises his protegé for her insight.

“All of us working together — with community, with parents, with guardians and our young people — we can have a safer city,” he said.