Pittsburgh Police Break Up Large Crowd Blocking Traffic In Oakland Area

PITTSBURGH, PA — Police dispersed an unpermitted gathering of several thousand people Saturday afternoon in the city’s Oakland neighborhood after the crowd disrupted pedestrian and vehicle traffic along Semple Street, authorities said.

Officers from Pittsburgh Police Zone 4, the Mounted Unit and University of Pittsburgh Police responded to the area around 1:30 p.m. to break up the gathering, which did not have a city permit or authorization to close the street, according to Pittsburgh police.

Just before 4 p.m., the crowd cleared without incident.

Authorities said officers were deployed to maintain public safety, ensure access for emergency vehicles and restore the normal flow of traffic.

Law enforcement remained in the area afterward to monitor conditions as smaller groups dispersed into nearby locations.

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