'Come early': Pittsburgh police gird for July 4 crowds, road closures

Independence Day revelry will be moved, yet again, out of Downtown Pittsburgh and into the city’s North Shore neighborhood — and city police Thursday said they’re ready for the crowds.

Construction at Point State Park is forcing event organizers, as they did last year, to stage the Fourth of July festivities on the North Shore’s PNC Great Lawn, the green space that runs from the Allegheny River up to North Shore Drive.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:35 p.m.

Police will accommodate the crowds — typically 30,000 to 40,000 people — with staggered closings of local roads and the nearby Roberto Clemente Bridge over the Allegheny River, police said.

Casino Drive and parts of Allegheny Avenue will be closed at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by parts of North Shore Drive at 7 p.m., police said. All roads near the event, up to Reedsdale Street, will close at 8 p.m.

“And it might happen sooner if the lots fill up,” said Pittsburgh police Commander Shawn Malloy, whose police zone includes the often-bustling North Shore. “I want to stress: if you are coming to enjoy your day at the North Shore, come early.”

More than roads will close. No one will be able to enter the North Shore event space after 9 p.m. or when crowds reach capacity, whichever comes first, according to Pittsburgh public safety.

Mayor Ed Gainey, surrounded by several high-ranking police officers, previewed the public safety aspects of the holiday Thursday as he stood near Pittsburgh’s three-river confluence.

“We want to ensure we keep a violence-free environment,” Gainey told reporters. “We want a day to celebrate — that’s it. Tomorrow’s that day.”

Local food trucks and vendors will be out in force Friday, and musicians will perform for much of the evening.

There will be three entrances Friday to the PNC Great Lawn — at the riverwalk, the Mister Rogers statue and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Bar. Multiple police officers will be stationed there, complemented by private security.

Police said those visiting the North Shore should build time into their schedules for dealing with metal detectors at the entrances.

Police also will have a presence in the city’s Mt. Washington neighborhood, where some sightseers will grab sky-high views of the Independence Day fireworks display.

As a precaution, police said members of the bureau’s bomb squad will patrol both Mt. Washington and the North Shore.

Boats will not be able to moor on Friday along the banks of the Allegheny River, Malloy said. They can stay in the river and moor together, as long as they allow for passage of emergency vehicles.

Allegheny County is bumping up 911 center staffing on Thursday night and through the weekend to assist with dispatching, Kasey Reigner, a county emergency services spokeswoman, told TribLive. Reigner did not say how many extra people will be on duty.

Allegheny County officials Thursday used the holiday as a reason to reinforce tips about how to celebrate Independence Day safely:

• Leave fireworks to the professionals.

• Always keep a water source nearby. Whether you’re using a grill, fire pit, or watching fireworks, have a hose or bucket of water on hand.

• Never use gasoline or other accelerants to start bonfires or open flames.

• Know if open fires are permitted in your area.

• Practice proper grill safety. Grill outdoors only, keep the grill away from buildings and overhangs, and never leave it unattended.

Allegheny County officials want those celebrating the holiday to “stay safe, stay smart and help protect your home, your loved ones and your community,” Abigail Gardner, the county’s spokeswoman, said.

The American Red Cross encourages people to use its First Aid app to obtain instant information on how to treat common injuries or ailments, said Nicole Roschella, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit’s Greater Pennsylvania region.

The app can be found at redcross.org/apps.

“It’s a time to celebrate,” Roschella told TribLive. “But take the right precautions so your fun holiday doesn’t turn into a trip to the emergency room.”