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Violent Fighting Among Teens Prompts Cancellation Of Carrick Church's Summer Festival

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Teenagers fighting in the street have forced a church in Carrick to make the difficult decision of canceling the rest of their summer festival.

Pittsburgh Police say they were called to six large fights between teens on Brownsville Road Wednesday night. Witnesses described an out-of-control scene. But by the time additional police arrived on scene, the rowdy teenagers had fled.

The parish priest says he was afraid an elderly person or child could have been trampled by the dozens of teens running from the fights, and that's why they have canceled the rest of the festival.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the church made the understandable choice not to proceed with the festival," said district 4 councilwoman Natalia Rudiak in a statement.

People were taking down signs, the rides being dismantled and the tents being packed up Thursday at the St. Basil Parish festival. It was supposed to run through Saturday, but not after what happened.

"Our first night was very difficult because of the fighting and the violence out on the street in front of us," said Rev. Stephen Kresak, of St. Basil Parish.

Fr. Kresak says they reluctantly decided to cancel the rest of the festival because even with two hired police officers for security, they couldn't guarantee people's safety.

"There were many, many kids running," he said. "In fact, if someone had been on the street when that happened, they would have been trampled."

Parishioners at the festival during the fighting say they were frightened.

"Yeah. I was actually working inside and I came out and crowds of people were trying to leave," said Lou Ann Shannon.

"I think people who come here may have thought they weren't safe and this wasn't an environment they were comfortable with," Beverly Lankes said.

Sheena Strickland and her son showed up at shuttered festival Thursday evening. Sadly, they were greeted by a large sign that read the outdoor carnival had been canceled.

"Some kids got out of hand, and now all [neighborhood kids] are being punished," said Strickland. "It's not fair."

Festival organizer Richard Heinz told KDKA-TV's Ralph Iannotti, "We put a lot of hard work into this, for it to happen the way it did, it's tough."

The festival is the church's big source of revenue and they need to make money to repair the church roof, but it's also become a tradition, and no one wanted it to end.

"I think is sad. This has been one of the few events that was able to stay in Carrick," said Shannon.

Police say there were no arrests Thursday and no weapons used in the fighting. They say this same thing has been a problem in the past.

Meanwhile, the church has set up a GoFundMe page hoping to raise the $45,000 they would normally get from the festival.

A benefit concert has been planned for Friday night at Grandview Park in the city's Allentown neighborhood, and concert proceeds will go to the church.

District 4 Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak's full statement on the violence that shut down the St. Basil Festival:

"I strive every day to create a more liveable city and I am saddened to learn of the cancellation of St. Basil's Parish Homecoming Festival due to fighting. Out of an abundance of caution, the church made the understandable choice not to proceed with the festival. This is the church's main source of funding for the entire year. The Zone 3 Citizens Council will host a fundraiser for St. Basil Parish due to the cancellation of the Festival. We encourage all Pittsburghers to join the community at Grandview Park Friday, July 24 at 7:30. Gone South Band and the Officers of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police from Zone 3 will be in attendance to support St. Basil's Parish. My heart goes out to the parishioners, neighbors, families, and youth who were affected by this incident and who will not be able to experience the joy and community of continued celebration. But we must remember that this situation was not created overnight, and it will not be solved overnight. It takes partnership between local, state, and federal officials - and community members - to work together on reducing violence and increasing funding for social and youth programs, as well as increasing officers on our streets. I look forward to the Zone 3 fundraiser as an opportunity to continue to build on those partnerships, and continuing this conversation on City Council and in our communities."

 

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