Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert Calling For More Cooperation From Protesters
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert is calling for more cooperation from protesters.
On Wednesday, the chief said police are willing to allow some civil disobedience. But he says police are asking that protesters give an advanced warning about their plans, saying cooperation will keep everyone safe.
Animosity erupted between police and protesters when armed, plainclothes officers jumped out of an unmarked white van and arrested a demonstrator. Mayor Peduto condemned the arrest and reassigned police commanders.
But the police chief appears to defend the arrest.
"It was a low-visibility arrest. It was designed to keep other things from happening. That's what they chose to do. We understand it's not popular, but that is a decision that was made at the time."
The chief is now calling for more cooperation from demonstrators to avoid future arrests.
RELATED STORIES:
- Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Says Protest Outside His House 'Crosses A Line'
- About 300 Protesters March To Mayor Bill Peduto's Home After Arrest Of Demonstrator
- Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto 'Livid' About Protester Arrest, Won't 'Tolerate These Tactics' In The Future
- Pittsburgh Activists Say Peduto, Public Safety 'Vilify' Protesters Following Weekend Arrest Of Demonstrator
- Police Tactics Used In Oakland Arrest Sparks Anger, Protests, Calls For Mayor Bill Peduto's Resignation
- Pittsburgh Mayor Has 'Serious Concerns' With Plainclothes Officers' Arrest Of Protester Into Unmarked Vans
- Pittsburgh Police Arrest Man During Protests In Oakland
"We understand that there's a divide, and we got to figure out how we can lessen that divide so we can have some form of communication to keep them safe," Chief Schubert said. "That's all I want to do, is keep people safe."
But cooperation has limits, and Schubert says they won't tolerate the rioting and vandalism that occurred May 30.
"It started out as a protest and then it turned into riotous behavior. And there was a lot of damage, there were people assaulted, officers were assaulted," Schubert said.
In subsequent protests, there have been few injuries. The chief wants to keep it that way.