Pittsburgh Public Safety officials on Monday said they welcomed juveniles interested in participating in NFL Draft festivities this week – but warned them to do so responsibly.
A month after dozens of juveniles were involved in a fight in Market Square, city officials — in conjunction with Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders — offered the stern message for anyone looking to wreak similar havoc during the draft.
“Over the past two years, Downtown has seen a significant increase in disorderly youth, and this trend mirrors similar national occurrences,” said police Lt. Robert Monticelli, supervisor of Downtown Public Safety Center. “Know that due to these issues, we have increased our presence and enforcement. If you come Downtown and commit disorderly acts or crimes, you will likely meet our officers and will be charged accordingly.”
Thousands of people are expected to descend upon Downtown and the North Shore this week for the three-day draft, which begins Thursday. Pittsburgh Public Schools announced in March that students would be learning remotely during the draft, drawing nationwide attention.
School administrators met with a group of students across schools on Friday to discuss ways to discourage unruly behavior, said Jason Rivers, the district’s director of conflict resolution and violence prevention.
Some of the strategies include social media campaigns, as well as conversations focused on belonging and mutual respect.
“They don’t desire to be seen as the problem,” Rivers said. “They acknowledge that there are issues among their peer group and they need viable ways to solve conflict.”
In March, a fight involving 40 juveniles broke out in Market Square. The incident increased pressure on business owners and elected leaders to step up law enforcement Downtown ahead of the draft.
School district officials at the time released a statement discouraging students from attending a “Downtown Takeover” after information on social media encouraged students to gather in Downtown.
“Youth participation in events and spaces Downtown should be welcomed, but recently youth-related takeover and disorderly behavior have become an unacceptable norm. This has led to an increase in fights, assaults and other concerning criminal behavior,” Monticelli said.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams said the city has partnered with community outreach groups to provide credentialing so they can help mediate and stop situations from escalating.
Members of outreach groups will wear badges identifying them as a draft-related community group. Each group also will wear matching clothing.
“We actually have law enforcement personnel who will be dispatching with our community partners. It’s a collaborative effort,” Williams said. “We have clear rules of engagement and understanding that our community partners need to step back and then allow law enforcement to do their jobs as well.”
Groups involved include Greater Pittsburgh Area Mad Dads, South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace and Safe Passage. Safe Passage is an anti-violence program operated through a partnership among Operation Better Block, the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Alternative activities and work spaces
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation this week will open rec centers as remote-learning spaces and sites for youth draft watch parties.
From Wednesday to Friday, nine CitiParks recreation centers will open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jefferson Recreation Center in the North Side will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Thursday and Friday, youths are invited to join the CitiParks draft parties from 6-9 p.m. at Ammon Community Recreation Center in the Hill District and Magee Recreation Center in Greenfield. Draft parties will include food and special activities such as punt, pass and kick games, flag football skills challenges and raffles as well as a flag clinic with Pittsburgh Flag Football League.
Flag football games will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Ammon Recreation Center and Magee Recreation Center. Registration is not required.
Students also can receive the free breakfasts and lunches that they usually receive in schools at the rec centers during the draft.
Virtual learning supplies, activities and draft parties are provided by CitiParks, A Schools, the nonprofit Education Partnership, Pittsburgh Flag Football League, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the city’s tourism group, Visit Pittsburgh.