PITTSBURGH \u2014 Pittsburgh is trying to keep unsupervised teens out of Market Square. The city just implemented a new chaperone policy.<\/p>\n
Some support it, but others are raising questions.<\/p>\n
The city is looking to crack down on fights happening among teens in Market Square.<\/p>\n
Last week, Pittsburgh quietly started enforcing a new chaperone policy, something people there today think is a good first step.<\/p>\n
\u201cPittsburgh is trying to make a nice comeback and I think that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d visitor Jim Posney said.<\/p>\n
From 3 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday, anyone 18 and younger must be with someone 21 or older.<\/p>\n
The city says private security will be stationed at the six intersections surrounding Market Square, alongside Pittsburgh police officers and representatives from youth outreach groups.<\/p>\n
In a statement, a spokesperson for the mayor\u2019s office told us:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a place that people are allowed to congregate to express their views and from what I can tell from this policy, there doesn\u2019t seem to be any exception for free speech activity by kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sara Rose is the deputy legal director for the ACLU of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
She questions whether this new policy could violate teens\u2019 First Amendment rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they want to go to market square and protest this new policy without adult supervision, they have a First Amendment right to do that,\u201d Rose said.<\/p>\n
Channel 11 reached back out to the mayor\u2019s spokesperson to ask about the ACLU\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n
So far, we have not heard back. <\/p>\n
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