Recently
it was widely reported that groups of young people gathering downtown at night
went on a “rampage” that involved a subsequent police chase on foot. There were bystanders injured during this
disturbance, including an elderly woman who was sadly at the wrong place at the
wrong time. Simply enjoying what has
become an increasingly vibrant downtown area should not be cause for even the
threat of harm, much less physical abuse.
Immediate action by City government, and I am not referring to only the
police, is needed.
Back
in June I was downtown for Stanley Cup viewing in a Market Square
restaurant. Prior to the match I decided
to wander a bit to see what new businesses were in old familiar places. Walking along Wood Street I noted to myself,
and did so later to friends, that there was a particularly rowdy group of young
men in front of the McDonald’s outlet.
Being older, and less cocksure of my abilities these days. the scene
made me very uncomfortable as I squeezed by.
I can understand how any number of visitors or residents, seeing that type
of behavior at the relatively early pre-8PM time, would think twice about
strolling downtown again.
The
bottom line here is that Pittsburgh’s downtown “ecosystem” is physically compact
and metaphysically still in a rebirth phase.
Everything is scrutinized under a media reported magnifying glass. It cannot sustain incidents that result in
physical harm as well as negative reports of such and still expect to develop
day-and-night vibrancy. City officials
must work with law enforcement but also with the appropriate social service
agencies to address the causes as well as the very presence of this behavior. Crime is a complicated issue that results from
a complex sets of circumstances.
However, that can never excuse inaction on the part of those responsible
for the public welfare.
