Philadelphia police urge people not to walk on city's frozen rivers: "This is illegal for a reason"

The Philadelphia Police Department is urging people not to walk on the city's frozen rivers as the Delaware Valley continues to deal with freezing conditions. 

In a statement Sunday, Philadelphia police said: "We're getting reports of people walking and ice skating on Philadelphia's rivers. This is illegal for a reason. River ice is not as thick as it looks - moving water underneath weakens it and conditions can change fast. Please stay safe and stay off the ice!"

A spokesperson for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation said falling through ice can be fatal within minutes. 

"For your safety, please remain on solid ground and avoid all frozen waterways," the spokesperson said. 

CBS News Philadelphia's cameras were near the Falls Bridge at the Schuylkill River Sunday afternoon, when multiple people were spotted walking on the icy river. 

Officers with the Philadelphia Police Department eventually arrived and told people to get off the river. Public safety officials in Pittsburgh are also urging residents not walk on the city's rivers. 

Sunday is the ninth straight day with below-freezing conditions in Philadelphia after the city got nearly 10 inches of snow. 

It's the city's longest subfreezing stretch since 2004. It's also the eighth time Philly has been below freezing for nine or more days. 

Monday will be the 10th day, which will be the longest consecutive stretch of freezing temps since 1979.

Philadelphia has a chance to get above freezing Tuesday or Wednesday, but if that doesn't happen, the region might not get above freezing for another week or more. 

The NEXT Weather team is also tracking two chances of snow later this week.

In the suburbs, police officials are echoing the same sentiment as Philadelphia police.

Andy Block, the superintendent of Lower Merion Township Police and deputy chief of the Gladwyne Fire Company, strongly advised people to not to walk on frozen rivers. He's also a member of the department's swift water rescue team. 

"Basically, you need four inches to have a solid platform on the ice itself," Block said. "Anything less, the integrity of the ice will be compromised if you walk on that."

Lower Merion Township Police have increased patrols around the Schuylkill River. They're asking people if they see anyone on the ice to call 911.

Fire officials warn that if the ice gave way under someone, hypothermia could set in within minutes.

First responders would also be unnecessarily placed in harm's way, fire officials said.