PITTSBURGH, PA — The City of Pittsburgh and the Department of Public Safety announced preparations Thursday for Fourth of July celebrations expected to draw large crowds Downtown, on the North Shore, on Mount Washington and on the South Side. The city said events will include concerts at Point State Park and Downtown, a Ferris wheel and hot air balloon on the North Shore, the South Side Street Fest on East Carson Street, a fireworks and drone show, and views from Mount Washington and the Grandview Overlook.
Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams said hundreds of Pittsburgh Police, EMS, Fire and Emergency Management personnel will be on duty for the holiday. The city said the police deployment will include the Mounted Unit, Violence Prevention Unit, Bicycle Unit, River Rescue, SWAT, plainclothes detectives and undercover detectives, while the Drone Unit will provide aerial visibility over large areas.
Chief Jason Lando said the city will have zero tolerance for fighting, vandalism, fireworks in the crowd, alcohol violations or conduct that threatens others. Officials said REACH outreach workers will patrol the Central Business District, and local and state partners will include Allegheny County Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Juvenile Probation, Port Authority Police and DCNR Park Rangers.
Traffic and parking restrictions will affect the North Shore and Downtown areas. The city said there will be no parking on North Shore Drive, Mazeroski Way and West General Robinson Street all day July 4. Beginning at 11 a.m., North Shore Drive will close until the end of the event, Art Rooney Avenue will close at West General Robinson Street, West General Robinson Street will close at Chuck Noll Way with parking-lot access, and New Liberty Avenue at Commonwealth Place will close for Point State Park events. Private security and a clear bag policy will be in place at Point State Park and North Shore entrances.
The city said as many as 100,000 people are expected and urged attendees to watch the weather, with temperatures expected in the high 90s and possible thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening. EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist urged people to drink water and watch for heat illness, and the city said paramedics, EMTs and motorcycle medics will be stationed or roving in event areas. The Fireworks Task Force will operate July 3 through July 5, and fireworks misuse can lead to warnings, citations, arrests or confiscation. The annual fireworks display is scheduled for 9:35 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Times
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Pittsburgh, PA
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