Downtown safety should be a priority

Thank you to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for publicly calling out the increasing problems in our Downtown Cultural District ( July 17, “Downtown Crime Disturbs Cultural Trust”). It’s disappointing it had to come to this.

I support Mayor Bill Peduto and taking on issues of climate change and bringing new industries to Pittsburgh, but at some point, he must stop looking outward and address the problems closer to home.

I love the ballet, but my husband would prefer not to spend money watching people dance in tights. If I cannot attend the Sunday matinee performance, I write off going altogether. To me, it is too risky trying to attend an evening performance by myself.

Additionally, I am unwilling to attend events like Light Up Night, First Night or the Fourth of July with my family because of the violence.

It is ridiculous to blame holidays for spikes in crime when the problem is the longstanding lack of policing and providing adequate security. It is not a question of whether violence will occur during one of these celebratory nights, but how many people are going to get hurt. The mayor and police should be prepared for the night when an innocent family is going to get caught in the crossfire.

The cultural trust shouldn’t be the only one waving the warning flag. VisitPittsburgh needs be vocal about how an unsafe Cultural District will affect our rankings in top destination lists and ability to attract large conventions.

Likewise, Downtown is a central corridor for people walking to Heinz Field, PNC Park and PPG Paints Arena. What happens when people decide it is too unsafe to attend sporting events and concerts?

Make this a priority, Mr. Peduto and Public Safety Director Wendell D. Hissrich, before we lose the work done to make Pittsburgh a destination for visitors, businesses and all of us who chose to make Pittsburgh our home.

LAURA SWEDLER

Brookline