Pittsburgh Public Schools is asking families to speak to their children and discourage their attendance downtown on Friday after posts were made online for a planned “Downtown Takeover” event. VIDEO: Large fight breaks out among juveniles at Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh A spokesperson told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the district has become aware of information circulating on social media regarding a planned “Downtown Takeover” event. The event, allegedly organized by young people, is encouraging students to gather in Downtown Pittsburgh on Friday, the district said. Out of an abundance of caution, PPS said it is notifying families and encouraging parents and guardians to speak with their children and discourage attendance in the interest of student safety.PPS sent the following letter to parents: Hello PPS Families. This is Pittsburgh Public Schools. This is an important message regarding student safety. We are aware of recent incidents involving youth gatherings in downtown Pittsburgh, as well as information circulating about a planned “downtown takeover” event this Friday. Please know that this event is not sanctioned, not supervised, and poses serious safety concerns for our students. We strongly urge all families to discourage their children from attending.The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. We ask that you speak with your child about making safe, responsible choices and avoiding unsupervised gatherings such as this one. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe.The alert comes days after Pittsburgh police said a fight in Market Square involving multiple juveniles broke out. During the incident, some of the juveniles deployed pepper spray, and after officers’ verbal commands to disperse were ignored, police deployed their own oleoresin capsicum spray and restored order.Over 40 people were said to have been involved, with at least seven juveniles taken into custody. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to Pittsburgh police, who said, ” are aware of an unpermitted gathering being planned for Friday and are very closely monitoring.”This is a developing story. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh Public Schools is asking families to speak to their children and discourage their attendance downtown on Friday after posts were made online for a planned “Downtown Takeover” event.

VIDEO: Large fight breaks out among juveniles at Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh

A spokesperson told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the district has become aware of information circulating on social media regarding a planned “Downtown Takeover” event.

The event, allegedly organized by young people, is encouraging students to gather in Downtown Pittsburgh on Friday, the district said.

Out of an abundance of caution, PPS said it is notifying families and encouraging parents and guardians to speak with their children and discourage attendance in the interest of student safety.

PPS sent the following letter to parents:

Hello PPS Families. This is Pittsburgh Public Schools. This is an important message regarding student safety.

We are aware of recent incidents involving youth gatherings in downtown Pittsburgh, as well as information circulating about a planned “downtown takeover” event this Friday. Please know that this event is not sanctioned, not supervised, and poses serious safety concerns for our students. We strongly urge all families to discourage their children from attending.

The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. We ask that you speak with your child about making safe, responsible choices and avoiding unsupervised gatherings such as this one.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe.

The alert comes days after Pittsburgh police said a fight in Market Square involving multiple juveniles broke out. During the incident, some of the juveniles deployed pepper spray, and after officers’ verbal commands to disperse were ignored, police deployed their own oleoresin capsicum spray and restored order.

Over 40 people were said to have been involved, with at least seven juveniles taken into custody.

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to Pittsburgh police, who said, “[We] are aware of an unpermitted gathering being planned for Friday and are very closely monitoring.”

This is a developing story.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.