New South Side police substation, more safety measures announced
A new police substation is opening on the South Side as St. Patrick’s Day weekend kicks off in Pittsburgh.
Set to open Saturday on Mary Street, as hundreds of thousands are expected to descend upon the city center for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, it will offer a space for officers who need to remain close to the expected partying on East Carson Street, city officials said on Friday during a news conference Downtown.
“I believe [it will] make South Side a safer and more desirable place,” Pittsburgh police Commander Jeffery Abraham said outside Downtown’s City-County Building. He called the substation “long overdue.”
Following the opening, which will be 11 a.m. Saturday, regular substation hours will be 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
Zone 3 officers, the South Side Entertainment Patrol Unit, Pennsylvania State Police, and other law enforcement agencies will “embark on a mission” to ensure individuals are “celebrating responsibly” throughout the weekend, Cmdr. Abraham said.
Assigned pick-up and drop-off locations — one on South 18th Street between East Carson and Wrights Way and another between 20 and 26 Bedford Square off of South 12th Street — will be available to the public, which will make it easier for people to use rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, Cmdr. Abraham said.
Councilman Bob Charland, who represents District 3, encouraged those celebrating on the South Side to take advantage of ride sharing options and thanked public safety and public works officials for their help in making “St. Patrick’s Day in the South Side possible.”
“It’s always fun in the South Side. I’m very much looking forward to it,” he said.
Pittsburgh police and other law enforcement agencies will also be in full force on the North Shore and Downtown, where the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, one of the nation’s largest, will be held starting at 10 a.m.
More than 200,000 spectators are expected this year, Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz said.
And make sure to check the parade route: The city will begin towing cars parked along the route at 6 a.m. Saturday, said Takeena White, public safety assistant director of operations.
She encouraged spectators to utilize Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s online schedule.
Some 50 buses will be re-routed due to the parade, PRT said in a news release. The agency encouraged people visit rideprt.org/ stpats2024 for the full detour list.
If driving is necessary, Ms. White recommended the Second Avenue Parking Plaza, a short walk to Downtown restaurants and bars.
“[We want] everyone to have an enjoyable, responsible and safe day,” she said.