![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/29b445a5340895a3d2e7b30184c59744.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Members of law enforcement joined community members and advocates for a forum on Downtown Pittsburgh safety on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The forum was pre-planned, but it came just a day after a 19-year-old was shot and killed near the Chipotle in Market Square.<\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man shot multiple times in Market Square dies after emergency surgery<\/a><\/p>\n Market Square itself has been the topic of controversy. Since reopening following a $15 million renovation, a new chaperone policy has been in place. Teens under 18 are required to have an adult over 21 with them Thursday through Sunday.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh introduces temporary chaperone policy for Market Square<\/a><\/p>\n That policy was the subject of criticism by some at the forum.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are they supposed to go? What fun activities do we have throughout Pittsburgh where my kid can leave my home and feel comfortable?\u201d a mother of teenagers said.<\/p>\n Leaders spoke about the need for it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a known fact that we have increased activity in and around Market Square,\u201d Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams said. \u201cBecause some of the behavior we see is with juveniles, there is an added level of complexity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about kids loitering. It\u2019s the fact that there are weapons. There are guns,\u201d Jeremy Waldrup of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said. His group played a large role in the renovation project.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are coming down there to fight, to take their phone and set up fights to make the destruction of our community entertainment,\u201d Cornell Jones said. He\u2019s a group violence intervention specialist. \u201cI\u2019ll be the person people get mad at as long as Ray Ray is alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Community members stressed the problem facing youths in the area.<\/p>\n \u201cI love our black children. I love all children, but what I\u2019m witnessing is alarming and heartbreaking,\u201d one woman said.<\/p>\n They also asked for clarity regarding the chaperone policy and argued that Pittsburgh is criminalizing all youth for the actions of some.<\/p>\n \u201cPittsburgh is the most livable city. That includes me and my kids, who are great kids.\u201d<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n