The President and CEO of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is alerting officials over her concerns of crime, drug use and more downtown and asking for help.
In a letter obtained by KDKA Radio’s Marty Griffin, Catherine Qureshi addresses Pittsburgh Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak, Director of Public Safety Lee Schmidt, Director of Public Works Chris Hornstein and Neighborhood Services Manager Rebekkah Ranallo.
She says a member of the conservancy saw a knife fight at Mellon Square Park downtown, human feces and urine through the park, “especially on the terrace” and “about 30 people present who appear to be high/intoxicated.”
Qureshi is asking for the Department of Public Works to turn on water or help with clean up.
“The current conditions are grotesque and unsafe.”
She is also asking public safety to provide a police officer to help patrol the area.
“The Plaza has only been opened for this season for 11 days and the conditions are worsening at an accelerated rate,” Qureshi goes on to say.
She adds the Conversancy staffs Mellon Square but they need help because they are “completely tapped in that regard.”