Pittsburgh homeless encampment decommissioned; rise in crime cited

City says alarming increase in crime prompted decommissioning of Grant Street homeless encampment Pittsburgh's Office of Community Health and Safety, within the Bureau of Public Safety, says a steady stream of crime and concerns from businesses prompted a call to action regarding the Grant Street homeless encampment."Recently, we've seen an uptick in criminal behavior that was very concerning, a lot of human waste and trash that was posing a public health risk for not only the people living there," Assistant Public Safety Director Camila Alarcon said Thursday. "At some point, there was sexual violence against women, human trafficking, very concerning criminal activity."Alarcon says roughly 12 residents lived in the encampment and have been given housing options, with some preparing to move into their own permanent housing in the near future."Everybody has a plan, everybody has had an offer and we're just trying to support the population the best we can," Alarcon said. One resident who does not want to be identified says he will move into his own home next month."I'm so proud, man. I get my own place next month," he said. "If you want some help, there's people out here who are going to help you, get you off the streets, and you start doing a little better. Everybody wants their own place. There's nothing like having your own place, you know what I mean?"

Pittsburgh's Office of Community Health and Safety, within the Bureau of Public Safety, says a steady stream of crime and concerns from businesses prompted a call to action regarding the Grant Street homeless encampment.

"Recently, we've seen an uptick in criminal behavior that was very concerning, a lot of human waste and trash that was posing a public health risk for not only the people living there," Assistant Public Safety Director Camila Alarcon said Thursday. "At some point, there was sexual violence against women, human trafficking, very concerning criminal activity."

Alarcon says roughly 12 residents lived in the encampment and have been given housing options, with some preparing to move into their own permanent housing in the near future.

"Everybody has a plan, everybody has had an offer and we're just trying to support the population the best we can," Alarcon said.

One resident who does not want to be identified says he will move into his own home next month.

"I'm so proud, man. I get my own place next month," he said. "If you want some help, there's people out here who are going to help you, get you off the streets, and you start doing a little better. Everybody wants their own place. There's nothing like having your own place, you know what I mean?"