Safety issues Downtown must be addressed now
My wife and I frequently spend evenings in Downtown Pittsburgh for dinners and cultural events. Recent news stories detailing violence Downtown have not stopped us from going (we know people who are too afraid to visit the city), but we have become more vigilant as we walk the streets.
This past Saturday evening, as we dined at an outdoor restaurant in Market Square, a violent fight occurred in the square. It took 10 minutes for a police response, and by that time the fight had calmed but the damage was done.
We heard several people in the restaurant mention they wouldn’t be coming to town again soon (these on top of people already too frightened by earlier incidents).
Mayor Bill Peduto has stated that these violent acts could occur anywhere, but would an armed and uniformed officer act as a deterrent (especially in busy areas)?
Not another minute should be lost making an effort to allow visitors to the city to feel secure. It may cost to provide security, but lost revenue due to fear could stop the growth of our city! NICHOLAS BUTERA
Monroeville Our Fourth Estate has let us down. Media were more interested in ratings than in doggedly pursuing the truth. If we have a President Trump, they will own that. JOANNE GARING North Huntingdon
If you aren’t genuinely concerned by this presidential election, you aren’t paying attention or just don’t care. Both candidates are flawed. Hillary Clinton has faults, has made misstatements and has made gaffes of her own. However, Donald Trump is delusional. Anyone who makes fun of a fellow disabled American, takes shots at prisoner of war Sen. John McCain or attacks the Gold Star family of a fallen war hero is shameful. And that’s not to mention his blaming a female moderator’s feminine cycle for tough questioning during a Republican primary debate.
Let’s also note calling women unflattering names and trying to delegitimize the Obama presidency by questioning his place of birth. Mr. Trump can do all of these mentioned, but if you dish it back, he calls it a “hit job.”
Mr. Trump is evasive, light on detail and wants to be hired for the job before submitting his full resume. Tax returns anyone? There is no privacy when running for the highest office. Voters should be encouraged to have another look and examine their conscience. He likes to reference Ronald Reagan as a role model, but Mr. Reagan never behaved this way.
Skills from the real estate office don’t necessarily make you
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ready for the Oval Office. And some call this “conservative”? JARRYD ZOLA Monroeville
I read your article about the generous donations of school supplies from the Mt. Lebanon Junior Women’s Club to the students at Logan Elementary in the East Allegheny School District (“East Allegheny Students Get Supplies from Mt. Lebanon Club,” Sept. 16). However, there was no mention that retired Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch was there the same day and personally visited classrooms to distribute backpacks (labeled “BATCH PACKS”) filled with many school supplies. He deserves our recognition, too. He is a true Pittsburgh hero. Kudos to Mr. Batch. KEN CORCORAN North Versailles