Mayor Peduto: Downtown Police Sub-Station Coming Closer To Reality
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Downtown Pittsburgh has become a popular entertainment destination.
From the Cultural District to Market Square, shows and restaurants are often packed, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. But the rise in entertainment has also brought a rise in crime.
However, police are trying to reverse that trend with something new.
"We will have a police mini-station downtown this year," Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said. "The station will allow officers to have a place downtown where they can gather; and, if necessary, police can meet and talk to people."
The Downtown police station became a high priority after an upsurge in juvenile violence last year in the business district.
The trouble included four people shot last July at 7th Street and Liberty Avenue, and a stabbing incident in which multiple people were hurt in September near the Wood Street T station.
As it stands now, if additional police are needed for an incident in the Downtown area, they are brought in from one or more of the city's police zones.
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The Pittsburgh Public Safety Director had said previously any Downtown police sub-station would likely be manned up to 16 hours a day.
The so-called "Lantern Building" on Liberty Avenue appears to be a likely location to house the mini-police station.
