Mr. [Removed by request] I received your below email and you are absolutely right that I have responded to the speeding motorist complaints, loud noises, prostitution, reflection pond usage and other incidents regarding safety that were brought to my attention, including door-to-door soliciting of funds, vandalism, stolen bikes, fireworks, and a variety of personal emails from the Highland Park Community, so I apologize if I did not respond to your specific email. Hopefully, I can address the specific issues you describe below: Loitering is not illegal in Pittsburgh. Currently there are no laws or ordinances in the City of Pittsburgh to address loitering. The person you describe has the right to be on private property unless the owner asks him to leave. The gentleman could be restricted, by the owner, from non-public or those areas where the public does not have a legitimate purposes, like behind the counters/register area. The cartload of electronics...I have not noticed the homeless person; however I can have a beat officer periodically check the gas station to try to identify him. There are laws which limit my ability to demand identification or inventory his personal effects. Civil actions and lawsuits, not my area of expertise, so I cannot address the potential or validity of a lawsuit. I can forward your email to our law department for review. I hope that addresses your concerns. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call. Cmdr. RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206 (412) 665-3605 -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us] On Behalf Of [Removed by request] Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 7:15 PM To: neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us Subject: [Highland Park] Crime at Gas Station on S. Negley I've been watching the chatter on these Boards, about the various crime problems in our neighborhood. So far, the police have responded to concerns about loud motorcycles on Negley, the reflecting pool, and now the alleged prostitution along Negley. So far, however, Cmmdr. Brackney has never responded to my very specific written e-mail regarding crime -- specifically, the sale of stolen property in broad daylight -- by an evidently homeless man who is permitted to loiter in front of the gas station on Negley just above Penn. I saw the perpetrator of that crime standing outside that gas station just yesterday, with a cartload of electronic-looking stuff. Am I barking up the wrong tree, here? Is that particular service station outside the jurisdiction of this precinct? If so, please let me know and I'll raise this concern with whomever's job it is to address it. But otherwise, it looks like the Zone Five Station is permitting this guy to continue to operate out of this turf, for reasons which we can only speculate. I'm concerned because, as well-documented as the problems at that gas station now are, if someone is hurt or killed during a crime there, the city could be seriously on the hook in the ensuing civil suit that would be sure to follow. [Removed by request] ________________________________________________________________________ ____________ Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=7 -- <http://www.highlandpark.pgh.pa.us/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>