Pittsburgh Public Schools officials are discouraging students’ attendance from a reported “Downtown Takeover” event Friday.
District spokeswoman Ebony Pugh said officials are aware of information circulating on social media regarding a planned event, encouraging students to gather in Downtown Pittsburgh on Friday night.
Pugh said the district, “out of an abundance of caution,” notified families and encouraged parents and guardians to speak with their children and discourage attendance.
The message sent through PPS’ family notification system said the event “is not sanctioned, not supervised and poses serious safety concerns for our students.”
”The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority,” the PPS message said. “We ask that you speak with your child about making safe, responsible choices and avoiding unsupervised gatherings such as this one. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe.”
On Sunday, a fight broke out in Market Square among 40 juveniles, Pittsburgh Public Safety reported. Some of the juveniles began using pepper spray.
Police officers then used pepper spray to break up the crowd after orders to disperse were ignored, officials said. About 20 people were treated by paramedics for exposure to pepper spray.
Seven minors were issued citations for disorderly conduct in connection to the incident.
In a press conference Monday, Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams maintained that the Downtown area is safe. Reached Wednesday, a public safety spokeswoman said police are aware of an unpermitted gathering being planned for Friday “and are very closely monitoring.”
