Center City Revels In Unusually Warm Winter Weather

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was a hard night to stay inside. The reprieve from winter's chill was like a breathe of fresh air.

It was a strange sight to see at the Blue Cross River Rink, kids were ice skating in t-shirts and even shorts in the middle of February.

"It's beautiful. It's awesome. I love it. I had my hoodie on, but I started sweating so I had to take it off" said Juan Escalona of the Philadelphia Christian Youth Group.

But not everyone was celebrating the exuberance brought on by the warmer temperatures.

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The Shops at Liberty Place in Center City were locked down at around 6 p.m. Friday evening.

Philadelphia Police made sure a large group of teens making their way down Chestnut Street did not get out of hand.

"Nobody was letting anyone come in or out because everyone was really, really nervous. Security guards were everywhere and a lot of the store personnel were kind of scared," said Annie Perkins-Link.

At least one person was arrested in connection to a theft, but it's not clear if that's connected to the group of teens who were out en mass, partly at least because of the nice weather.

No one was injured, and there was no vandalism reported.

Investigators don't believe this was some kind of organized flash mob.

In Rittenhouse Square, walking the dog wasn't nearly as painful as it has been this winter.

"We've been out for about an hour and I don't want to go back in. I want to stay out for another hour if I can," said Carl Buchholz of Center City, who was out walking his dog.

For many who are fighting the winter blues, this night provided the cure.

"I got done with work and school, I came down here just to enjoy myself," Villanova graduate student Everett Hardy said.

Reported By Todd Quinones, CBS 3