Crime & Safety

Regent Square Neighbors React to Robberies

Residents and business owners are staying aware of their surroundings after seven robberies in one week.

On Monday night, Kate Meyer carried a purse and a bag during a block and a half long walk to her boyfriend’s apartment around 9:30 p.m.

Five minutes after she arrived, police cars and an ambulance had surrounded the building at the corner of.

The robbery occurred right there and I basically just missed getting mugged by a minute,” Meyer said. “I had a purse with me and I was a walking target and didn’t realize it.”

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Meyer’s boyfriend lives on the third floor of the same building where

Regent Square residents and business owners are now reacting to seven robberies that have occurred throughout the area in one week.

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Four people at a pet store called at the corner of Forbes and Braddock avenues Friday afternoon, according to Pittsburgh police.

, according to Edgewood Police Chief Robert Payne.

Payne said Tuesday the local forces were working together and the investigation is ongoing. Swissvale police are investigating Monday night’s incident.

“It’s extremely unnerving,” Meyer said. “I have lived here my whole life and nothing like this has ever happened.”

Meyer said she wishes she saw more police on different streets each night. While she regularly walks to Zumba classes at Shaolin Studios on South Braddock Avenue, she is now getting a ride.

“It’s escalating and now it’s an assault,” Meyer said. “It’s getting worse and not enough people know about it.”

Meyer said a group of women involved with Zumba are pairing up with the studio for self-defense classes as soon as possible in reaction to the recent incidents.

“Stay alert,” Meyer said. “I guess safety in numbers doesn’t count anymore. Be safe and spread the word.”

Jackie Goodrich of Wilkinsburg works at Katerbean on South Braddock Avenue. She said she would like to see more patrols on the street.

I don’t want to come down here at night and I won’t until they are arrested,” she said of the recent incidents. “When I have customers come in I let them know what’s going on. Watch your back and be aware of your surroundings.”

Goodrich also said she believes many people in Regent Square have a false sense of security.

“It’s a nice little neighborhood and you’re not paying attention,” Grice said.

She also said she would be taking other employees home herself to make sure they are safe.

John Wray lives in the Regent Square area and works at Dunning’s Bar and Grill at the corner of Hutchinson and South Braddock, just a few blocks away from Monday night’s incident.

Aside from concern and caution, there’s not much else we can do,” Wray said. “Our wait staff is aware and it’s a concern that a lot of our employees are local and walk to and from work.”

Wray said everyone is welcome to get a ride home from him and other employees are offering rides as well.

“As far as I can remember, nothing like this has happened aside from random things,” Wray said of the recent string of robberies. “This seems to be the most threatening of occurrences.”


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