partners in crime making pittsburghs strip district clean, safe & secure

Partners in Crime

Making Pittsburgh’s Strip District Clean, Safe &

Secure

The Strip - Daytime The region’s most

diverse shopping area Great restaurants Offices & business

locations Loft apartments Within walking

distance to the city

The Strip at Night Region’s hottest nightspot Fine dining More than 2 dozen clubs &

bars – all within a couple of city blocks

Live bands, dancing & more 2 a.m. closings = everyone

comes out onto the streets at the same time

Some Strip Demographics Population - 266 Daily public

transportation - 24,800 Number of jobs - 15,937 Number of parking

spaces – 9,833 Daily traffic at 12th Street

– 36,839 Daily traffic at 29th Street

- 14,947

Number of Bars + 25 Number of Businesses -

+367 Population within one

mile – 46,697 Three miles – 241,522 Five miles – 480,333 Average number of

visitors each weekend – 24,000

Strip District Parking ZonesZone A - 4,027 spaces

• Less on street parking

• Workers going to downtown

Zone B and Zone C - 1,069 - 1,573 spaces

• Off-street parking, private use

Zone D - 1,093 spaces

• Mostly restricted, private use

Zone E - 1,350 spaces

• Has no on-street parking because of Liberty Ave.

• Large off-street parking for the two office buildings

Market Zone - 1,790 spaces

• High - traffic area, see map

Source: Pittsburgh Parking Authority - Parking Feasibility Study in the Strip District

Partners in Crime ChecklistItem Responsibility Completed Comments

1 Determine the needsDevelop objectives

2 Form the teamPoliceFBIDistrict Attorney's OfficeUS Justice OfficeEmergency Response TeamBureau of FireDepartment of Public Safety (City)Liqueur Control BoardHazmetAmerican Red CrossState Agency (PEMA)Area Businesses/non-profitsCommunity Groups/Block WatchSchool District RepresentativesMedia

3 Prepare letter/notice of the meeting4 Make meeting arrangements

Location & timeAgendaFacilitator/spokespersonNewsprint Recorders

5 Summarize key items from meeting Prioritize the items

6 Build your gridOutline GoalsDetermine timelines for each itemWho is responsible for each itemPossible funding sources

7 Organize subsequent meetingsFrequency of the meetingsIs a committee needed?Large Town Meetings

7 Begin Implementation of the plan8 Work with the Media9 Keep stakeholders informed of progress

10 Celebrate your successesUse Town MeetingsUse Press ReleasesUse local publicationsUse Organizations newsletter

Develop Your Checklist

A sample checklist is included in the Partners in Crime Booklet

First Determine Needs & Objectives Provide a safe environment for everyone Continue to foster economic development Develop a plan that works for the Strip Develop a plan that serves as a model Keep sidewalks & streets clean, free of graffiti

*** The Key - BUILD & MAINTAIN PARTNERSHIPS

Find Your Champion

Partners in the Strip Pittsburgh Police Local FBI District Attorney Local US Attorney EMS Fire Department Public Safety (911) Liquor Control Hazmat

American Red Cross PEMA Strip Businesses Residents Block Watch Groups School District

Representative Local News Media Elected Officials

Summarize then build your grid

Confirm objectives Determine goals or action Items Establish a timeline Determine who’s responsible or

who’s the contact? Identify possible funding sources

Next Steps Use newsletters, email, regular mail, fax and

phone to get the notice out Consider sending a survey to find out key concerns Arrange a convenient time & location Prepare the agenda Pick a facilitator who will keep things on track &

give everyone an opportunity to participate Make sure someone keeps good notes Serve light food & refreshments

Key Findings Nuisance Bars After Hours Bars Pedestrian Safety Trashcans, sidewalk cleaning Improved lighting Working with Magistrates Seminars, training for business locations Website Information

NITS Emergency QuickGuide and Crisis Management Guide can be

found at www.neighborsinthestrip.com

Two TruthsA crisis will happenYou better be prepared

to handle it when it does

10 Mistakes You Can Avoid Failure to plan Ignoring the warning

signs Reacting too slowly Failing to communicate Failing to prepare

information materials in advance

Failing to get info from employees, customers & partners

Failing to return call to above

Saying “No Comment” Not making necessary

adjustments to correct the crisis

Being misleading

Where do you begin?

Identify potential crises Create a planWork with the news

media

Identify and Rate the Crises A starting list is included in the partners in

crime booklet - add to it by thinking of your past or current situations

Rate the crises – High, Medium, Low or None Prioritize crises situations Choose top 10 crises

For Your Top Ten What actions need to be taken to prevent the

crisis? Is it feasible to do this? Which employees need to be involved . . . when . .

. and how? Are customers and suppliers involved – if so, what

is expected of them? What needs to be done to remind all of the above

to stay involved? How much time, effort and cost will be involved?

Know when to call for help

Is the emergency situation under control? Do you have the ability to bring it under

control immediately? Will you be able to bring it under control

immediately without outside help?

If you answer no to any of the questions,

you need to make the call!

Getting back to business Back up computer files Make copies of important

paper files Determine what major steps

are necessary to re-start the business

What to do . . . First - take care of the emergency Act quickly Have a communications plan Know who will speak for your

business or organization Respond to employees, customers,

neighbors, etc. Co-operate with news media

Working with the Media

Be available, fair, balanced and accurate

Know in advance what you want to say Boil down your message to two or three

key points that can be delivered in 30 seconds or less

Make those points at the beginning of the interview

Do’s….. Do prepare Do answer the question asked, but move right to

your message Do condense your message (three points) Do tell the truth (always) Do correct the reporter, if necessary Do say “I don’t know” (if you don’t know) Do anticipate questions (and think about the

answers in advance) Do be yourself

….. and Don’ts Don’t say “No comment” Don’t lie, exaggerate, or speculate Don’t speak for someone else Don’t let the reporter put words in your mouth Don’t let the reporter interrupt your answer (but

keep your answer short) Don’t think about the camera during a TV

interview (look directly at the reporter) Don’t talk down to your audience

Remember…

An interview is an opportunity for you to present your

organization’s point of view

Keep these things in mind…

Use available resources Build partnerships Plan for a crisis Communicate honestly

Good luck!

Partners in Crime

Making Pittsburgh’s Strip District Clean, Safe &

Secure