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Public Safety Dept.: 'Zero Tolerance Policy' In Effect For Kenny Chesney Concert

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There are concerts and there are events. When Kenny Chesney leaves his Caribbean Beach and lands on the North Shore it becomes a full-blown happening.

Kenny's Navy on the water, the spirited crowd in the parking lots.

"I'm hoping they have a great time," says Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. "We just ask that when people enjoy themselves that they are respectful of those around them and the environment around them as well."

Kenny Chesney Kicks Off "The Big Revival" Tour
Stock picture (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Kenny Chesney)

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich says the Chesney crowd has come a long way since the fights and parking lot mess of 2013.

"It has improved, and my understanding there were 70+ arrest at that time when Kenny Chesney was here," said Hissrich. "In 2016 that dropped down to seven."

The city wants to keep it that way. So while everyone is welcome to come and have a good time, Hissrich says, "Those who are coming to drink heavily, or misbehave, or to create problems, there's going to be a zero tolerance. They will be cited or arrested very quickly. We are not going to let anything get out of hand as has happened in the past."

heinz-field-parking-lot-trash
(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Hissrich says between the city, county, and state police, plus the sheriff's office there will be "several dozen police officers, in uniform and plainclothes, and mounted units from the Allegheny County Police and Pittsburgh Police. We are not going to mess around. Any misbehavior will be handled very quickly."

He's also telling fans, leave your drones at home.

When 7 o'clock comes on Saturday night, the officers "will come through and attempt to push the people into the stadium."

Hissrich say if someone refuses to leave the parking lot, "I don't want to say they will be arrested, but they will be strongly encouraged to leave."

heinz-field-parking-lot
(Photo Credit: KDKA)

The following parking lot code of conduct will be in effect:

  • Upon entering, fans will receive trash and recycling bags
  • Trash must be disposed of properly
  • The following are prohibited: solicitation of any kind, the sale of food and alcohol, glass containers, tents, personal port-a-johns, furniture (other than folding lawn chairs and tables), and oversized vehicles.

Crews hope to get about four hours of cleaning up done in the parking lot during the concert.

Brenda Waters' Report:

Once the show comes to an end, Hissrich says, "You will have one hour to leave the parking lot, and then we'll once again be forcing people to leave."

Mayor Peduto is not a fan of Kenny's Navy rafting off boats tied to the shoreline, sometimes five boats deep. He considers it a safety hazard.

This year, the U.S. Coast Guard issued special rules allowing rafting only up to 100 feet from shoreline.

pittsburgh-north-shore-boats
(Photo Credit: KDKA)

Peduto says, "Our long-term solution to this is building marinas. I know people don't like that idea because they're accustomed to tying up anywhere, but cities don't operate that way here or around the world. Eventually, the area between the stadiums will have marinas."

Parking lots open at 1 p.m. Saturday and you must have a ticket to enter the parking lot.

The NFL's clear bag policy will also be in place for the "Trip Around the Sun Tour." Fans will not be able to bring selfie sticks, coolers, large bags, alcohol and other prohibited items inside the stadium.

For more information on the bag policy, click here.

Also in town this weekend, the Three Rivers Arts Festival kicks off Downtown. There are several big concerts, too. Justin Timberlake will be at PPG Paints Arena Friday night, Journey and Def Leppard will play there Saturday night; and at KeyBank Pavilion; Dave Matthews Band will play Friday and Saturday is XFest. At the Benedum Center, Glee stars Lea Michele and Darren Criss will be singing their hits on Saturday.

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