Security A Focus As Countdown To First Night 2017 Begins

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Crews are preparing for a big party in Downtown Pittsburgh to ring in 2017, while police are working to make sure everyone stays safe.

Thousands are expected to attend Highmark First Night 2017.

Friday night, lighting specialists were programming the rays of light that will illuminate buildings at midnight.

And that's just the beginning of what crews need to do: "We have quite a few things left on the list, but we're making our way through them," said Jennifer Owen of Flyspace Productions. "We're going to be ready."

And so will police. At least they plan to be.

One tactic they'll employ is something people saw at Light Up Night back in November: Dump trucks filled with sand to protect streets filled with pedestrians.

In the past year, trucks have plowed into crowds in both France and Germany,  killing dozens.

"We're going to use dump trucks with sand," said Wendell Hissrich, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director.

"There's nothing to be alarmed about, but that's the way were going to do the barricades with heavy pedestrian traffic to protect them."

Also expect to see police on horseback and in the crowd. But officers will also be in plainclothes and in places you might not expect.

"You'll see a lot of police presence, and there will also be a lot behind-the-scenes," said Acting Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert.

"We'll have observers in the high-rise buildings to be able to look down at the crowd."

So while thousands will be having fun at First Night, know that police will be hard at work and not about to take any chances.

"We will have a zero tolerance. There will be no second chances," said Hissrich. "So if you're coming to town to create problems, you're either going to be arrested or cited."

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Here's the full list from the Department of Public Safety:

No parking will be enforced after 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 on Wood Street from 6th Street to Liberty Avenue. Street closures will be as follows:

10 a.m. Dec. 31 – 2 a.m. Jan. 1

• Stanwix Street from Liberty to Penn avenues: 10 a.m. Dec. 31 – 2 a.m. Jan. 1

12 p.m. Dec. 31 – 2 a.m. Jan. 1

• Penn Ave. from 10th to 6th streets. Vehicles for Marriott Courtyard Valet parking at 945 Penn Ave. will be allowed through the closure at 10th and Penn.
• Penn Ave. from Sixth to Stanwix street – 6th will remain open crossing over Penn
• Stanwix in both directions between Liberty Ave. and Ft. Duquesne Blvd. Vehicles will be allowed through Ft. Duquesne closure only to access parking garage at 625 Stanwix St.
• 7th St. from Liberty and Ft. Duquesne. Vehicles will be allowed through Ft. Duquesne closure to access parking garage only.
• 8th St./Tito Way from Liberty to Ft. Duquesne. Vehicles will be allowed through Ft. Duquesne closure to access parking garage only.
• 9th St. from Liberty Ave to Ft Duquesne. Vehicles will be allowed through Ft Duquesne closure to access parking lots only.
• 5th Ave from Liberty to Penn. Vehicles will be allowed through Liberty closure to access Fifth Avenue Place garage only.