Pittsburgh Public Safety preparing for 'unprecedented' number of people for Taylor Swift, Juneteenth
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Public Safety is preparing for an "unprecedented" number of people coming to the city for back-to-back Taylor Swift concerts and Juneteenth celebrations this weekend.
Taylor Swift will be at Acrisure Stadium on Friday and Saturday, and the Juneteenth parade is scheduled for Saturday with fireworks on Monday. Some estimates say as many as 100,000 people will be between the North Shore and Downtown. Police plan to have about 200 officers around these spots this weekend.
"We anticipate some of the largest crowds we have seen in quite some time," Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said.
Pittsburgh Public Safety said tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans, both with tickets and without, have gathered around the venues. Acrisure Stadium is strongly discouraging all non-ticket holders from coming to the stadium and the North Shore, saying both will be at maximum capacity.
Officials said only fans with tickets will be allowed in parking lots. Public Safety said people coming without tickets will only create gridlock and slow down getting in and out of the venue.
"We're used to this many people being inside the stadium. I think it's more so for the folks outside the stadium and around on the North Shore," said Burt Lauten, Acrisure Stadium's senior director of communications.
Parking lots open at 1:30 and the stadium at 4:30 both days. Officers with city police, county police, state police and the sheriff's office will patrol downtown and the North Shore. EMS will have people spread out between all the events.
"We're fully staffed," Pittsburgh EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist said.
The Juneteenth celebrations start Friday and run through Monday. Road closures will be in place around Point State Park. Other roads will close Saturday in the morning during the parade from the Lower Hill to Downtown. About 8,000 to 10,000 people a day are expected to enjoy the festivities.
Public Safety is asking people to be aware of planned security measures so things will run smoothly.
Acrisure Stadium's security measures, including more about the clear bag policy, can be found online. Acrisure Stadium is also completely cashless. If you are one of "The Lucky Ones," you are asked to have your ticket prepared before you get to the stadium.
"We want to make sure all the concert goers have all their tickets downloaded to their phones before they come down so when they get there, it's an easy process to get through," Lauten said.
At Point State Park, private security will check bags for the Juneteenth fireworks at 9:35 p.m. Prohibited items include alcohol, drugs, laser pointers, weapons and grills.
If you work in the area on Friday or Saturday, it's recommended you work from home.
Everyone is being encouraged to take public transit if they can. Most lots have already been sold. There will be no on-street parking.
