11 Investigates Exclusive: Teens causing chaos downtown, Pittsburgh police moving in

PITTSBURGH — After months of problems with teens wreaking havoc downtown, Pittsburgh police are finally moving in to address the problem.

Police just announced that they will ramp up patrols in and around Market Square.

But as 11 Investigates discovered, this is a problem that’s been going on for months.

Police told Chief Investigative reporter Rick Earle that there’s been a recent uptick in juvenile crime in the area around the Market Square area.

And now they are beefing up patrols.

But Earle discovered it’s not a new problem.

In fact, 11 Investigates has been tracking the issues since last spring.

During the Independence day fireworks celebration at Point State Park, a group of teens made their way into a nearby hotel and began fighting.

Earle obtained the dispatch tapes from that night.

Officer: I just got out at the Wyndham. They’re pushing a very large crowd out of there. It’s stable now. Whatever Zone 2 units are here, we will keep for now.

A veteran officer described the scene to 11 Investigates as chaos and pandemonium.

And it’s not the first time.

For months now, 11 Investigates has been tracking the chaos caused by teens downtown.

On one night a group terrorized several downtown businesses, knocking over displays and stealing items.

Police moved in and quickly warned other businesses in the area, advising them to lock their doors.

Officer: I’m at CVS. They got the…doors locked now. They’re preparing for this.

Officer: We might want to get some units at Target. They like to go and do that at Target as well.

Officer: Just so you know the Target’s closed up here.

Officer: Alright, if there’s anybody in there make sure they have the doors locked please and you can leave there.

Days earlier, teens targeted restaurants in Market Square.

Officer: They came into the restaurant, yesterday and today and have broken tables, threw food, throwing chairs, kicking glass. This is the third day in a row kids have come in and start destroying stuff.

On another day, the teens threw chairs in a coffee shop in Market Square.

Weeks earlier, a large fight broke out.

Officer: Unit to Market Square, the kids are about to fight over here.

Officer: What are the ages of these juveniles?

Police were called in.

They had to use OC, also known as pepper spray, to break it up.

Officer: Fifth and Market, Fifth and Market. Copy the fights are Fifth and Market. OC, OC. OC used.

“It’s a lot of wildness going on down here. I’ve never seen it this bad down here, never,” said Vincel Banks, who works at Primetime Cuts and Styles barber shop downtown.

“We get our ups and we get our downs. We’re at the down point now,” said Eric Payne, who owns the barbershop.

Payne told Earle that the problems with unruly teens have chased some customers away.

Payne believes the reopening of the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center will help, but he said more needs to be done to help the teens.

“More activities for them, instead of coming downtown wreaking havoc,” said Payne.

“There’s nowhere near as much things for these kids to do recreationally. If they turn one of these into a YMCA center or something down here for the kids, I guarantee you there’d be more for them to do,” said Banks.

In an effort to address what police are calling a recent uptick, they are bringing in extra officers from around the city to patrol the area in cars and on foot from 6 to 9 p.m.

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