Light Up Night in Downtown Pittsburgh was marked by disorder this past Saturday, with police action necessary to handle multiple fights that erupted during the festivities. According to WTAE, three arrests were made, and 18 non-traffic citations were issued as the police grappled with the task of maintaining order among the large crowds.
One notable incident involved a 20-year-old named Keshawn Sample, who WPXI reported is accused of punching a police officer. The public safety spokesperson detailed that the crowds of primarily juveniles congregated around Wood Street/Forbes Avenue and Market Square, turning areas known for their holiday cheer into sites of conflict. The criminal complaint paints a picture of “disorderly behavior, reaching riot levels of hundreds if not thousands of chaotic civilians.”
As the night progressed, police were occupied with dispersing crowds and responding to what seemed to be an unending stream of altercations. A spokesperson described the situation as officers working to “incite large fights and the running of hundreds of people causing a serious threat to public safety and innocent bystanders.” The police presence, consisting of between 75 and 100 officers, was heavy in anticipation of the event’s sizeable attendance, as detailed by WPXI…