Pittsburgh Protesters Can't Block Key Intersections Anymore

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh has adopted new policies to deal with the ongoing protests of last month’s shooting death of Antwon Rose.

The city Bureau of Police has announced new roadway safety guidelines, the addition of crisis intervention teams to work with protesters and a protest de-escalation initiative.

"These guidelines are a starting point, which give incident commanders more direction and balance when managing peaceful protests and ensure that public safety is maintained for all involved," police Chief Scott Schubert said in a statement.

Protesters will still be permitted to close streets during protests but the new guidelines prohibit them from blocking hospital, special event and tunnel or bridge entrances and exits. What the city deems critically important intersections will not be allowed to be closed at any time and protesters won’t be permitted to close down various other intersections during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Crisis intervention teams will be used during demonstrations to communication between organizers and police personnel. The specially-trained officers will seek to meet with protesters both before and after events to address concerns or issues that arise.
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Also, police will also formally adopt unspecified de-escalation practices and tactics proven to reduce tension and enhance safety during demonstrations and other crowd activities. Public Safety personnel will work with community leaders and stakeholders to provide input into the policies before they are adopted.

On Tuesday, the East Pittsburgh police officer charged in Rose’s fatal shooting waived his preliminary hearing scheduled for Friday. Officer Michael Rosfeld now faces formal arraignment on Aug. 22.

Rosfeld shot Rose to death June 19 as the Woodland Hills High School student fled from a traffic stop. Rosfeld had stopped the vehicle because it had been involved in a drive-by shooting minutes before in North Braddock.

Rose, 17, was unarmed when he was shot and authorities have said Rose didn't fire any shots during the drive-by. Another passenger in the vehicle, Zaijuan Hester, 17, was charged in the North Braddock shooting.

Image via YouTube.