City Curfew Center Roll Out

Now that Pittsburgh City Council has given final approval to funding for The Youth Curfew Center, plans are underway to get it operational later this summer. It will be located in a facility at 200 N. Dithridge St. in West Oakland. Currently the building houses an emergency shelter for young girls, which is in the process of being relocated. Three Rivers Youth will operate the center. President and CEO Peggy Harris, says they plan to add space for about 24 beds to accommodate youth who will be brought there by police for violating Pittsburgh's curfew. She says some kids may have to stay overnight until their parents arrive to get them. There will also be referrals, follow up, and counseling offered to the youth and their families.

Harris says as part of the roll out plan, they are proceeding with the licensure process with the state Department of Public Welfare. She says back in the February when they were selected for the contract, they launched an extensive recruitment campaign for staff. She anticipates the Youth Curfew Center will employ about 12 people, with the bulk of the staffing during the evening hours. Those who are hired must go through an extensive criminal background check. Harris expects the center can be operational by mid-August. She says contractually they are required to have the center open within 45 days of signing an agreement, which they have not done yet. She says the mid-August opening would be in line with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s desired time line.
In July 2004, then Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy closed the city's curfew center to save money and because it was little used.