A temporary policy in Pittsburgh requires minors to be accompanied by an adult in Market Square during specific hours. The policy, explained in a statement by the mayor’s office, is enforced Thursday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to midnight. Private security will staff six intersections surrounding Market Square and work alongside city police and youth outreach workers to ensure compliance. The adult accompanying minors must be at least 21 years old. “This is a focused, temporary response as we work to identify sustainable, long-term solutions to help support a safer experience for everyone spending time in the Square. We will monitor conditions in real time to assess effectiveness and adjust the approach as needed,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.Market Square, located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, has recently undergone renovations, making it a more attractive destination.Lori Olescyski described the area as “gorgeous” and “a beautiful place to be.” Despite the improvements, some visitors remain cautious about safety.Carline Green-Toomer said, “I really don’t come downtown, I mean, only to go to my appointments.”Tremaine Howard, a Market Square visitor, shared her concerns about teenagers in the area. “These teenagers around here, they sometimes are out of control,” she said. Howard also highlighted the importance of creating a welcoming space for older residents, saying, “A lot of older people, they stay in during the whole winter. So then they want to come out in the summer and sometimes maybe come down here, enjoy bands or whatever, you know?” Olescyski expressed optimism about the policy’s potential impact. “I’m just hoping that if they can stick with it, that that really helps and eases a little bit of the tension or the stress being here, because it’s a beautiful city, and there are so many things to do in the evening,” she said. The mayor’s office has said that the policy is temporary, with no set timeframe for its enforcement, as officials continue to evaluate its effectiveness and explore long-term solutions.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
A temporary policy in Pittsburgh requires minors to be accompanied by an adult in Market Square during specific hours.
The policy, explained in a statement by the mayor’s office, is enforced Thursday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to midnight. Private security will staff six intersections surrounding Market Square and work alongside city police and youth outreach workers to ensure compliance.
The adult accompanying minors must be at least 21 years old.
“This is a focused, temporary response as we work to identify sustainable, long-term solutions to help support a safer experience for everyone spending time in the Square. We will monitor conditions in real time to assess effectiveness and adjust the approach as needed,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
Market Square, located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, has recently undergone renovations, making it a more attractive destination.
Lori Olescyski described the area as “gorgeous” and “a beautiful place to be.”
Despite the improvements, some visitors remain cautious about safety.
Carline Green-Toomer said, “I really don’t come downtown, I mean, only to go to my appointments.”
Tremaine Howard, a Market Square visitor, shared her concerns about teenagers in the area.
“These teenagers around here, they sometimes are out of control,” she said.
Howard also highlighted the importance of creating a welcoming space for older residents, saying, “A lot of older people, they stay in during the whole winter. So then they want to come out in the summer and sometimes maybe come down here, enjoy bands or whatever, you know?”
Olescyski expressed optimism about the policy’s potential impact.
“I’m just hoping that if they can stick with it, that that really helps and eases a little bit of the tension or the stress being here, because it’s a beautiful city, and there are so many things to do in the evening,” she said.
The mayor’s office has said that the policy is temporary, with no set timeframe for its enforcement, as officials continue to evaluate its effectiveness and explore long-term solutions.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.