PITTSBURGH — Early Monday morning, police say a 50-year-old man was beaten and robbed on Smithfield Street and Sixth Avenue, which is the latest in a long string of issues downtown.
Just after 12:45 a.m., the man was beaten by at least three teenagers and was taken to the hospital, where he is now in critical condition.
This incident comes just weeks after Channel 11 News showed the conditions of a city park, which was filled with syringes, debris, and human waste. While surveying the area on Monday, news crews noticed more police in the area, but still a large homeless presence.
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“It was doing really well up until COVID, and then COVID took a hit, and it hasn’t been the same since,” said Ryan, who has worked in the area for two decades.
People who work downtown say the area has changed for the worse, but they are also hopeful that it can get better and what to see proactive solutions.
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“I like to see more stores open, more things to do, something for the youth, maybe a game room — I don’t know how that would work — and more police presence,” said James.
11 News caught up with the city’s mayor Monday to get his take.
“We boosted up patrol downtown, we know that the violent crime is down downtown tremendously, that isolated incident right there we are going to look at it and we will do what’s necessary to address it,” said Mayor Ed Gainey.
Two of the teens were caught and arrested. They were charged with aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, and recklessly endangering another person. One of the two was also charged with robbery.
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