Police Serve Search Warrants for Encampment Policy Violations Downtown

Published on August 08, 2024

Date: August 8, 2024
Incident Type: Search warrants
Location: Zone 2
Summary:

On August 7, 2024, Pittsburgh Police Narcotics, Violence Prevention Unit, and Downtown Public Safety Center detectives executed search warrants on two tents located on Grant Street between First Ave. and Fort Pitt Blvd.

Detectives seized quantities of crack cocaine and lorazepam pills believed to be intended for distribution from this location.

Two individuals who were removed from the tents during the search were interviewed by narcotics detectives at police headquarters.

Davidt Brown and Daidra Lomax were arrested and charged with narcotics violations.

Tracy Smith was arrested on an outstanding warrant and William Mazon and Lamar Williams were arrested via summons for possession of a controlled substance.

Each individual who was arrested provided police with a valid home address.

The following are the violations of the Encampment Policy that law enforcement observed during their search:

Section II. a. iv. Evidence of conspicuous selling of illegal drugs or paraphernalia,

vii. Verified reports of violence or criminal activity, particularly where that involves threats to vulnerable individuals.

viii. Health and safety concerns of the residents and persons in and around the encampment.

The area surrounding the tents is a public health and fire hazard. Piles of trash, crack pipes/needles, rotten food, human feces and urine bottles are strewn throughout, and several propane tanks are located around and inside tents.

Any obvious health/bio hazards and trash will be removed from the area.

Personal belongings will be stored per City of Pittsburgh policy.

Reporting PIO: Cara Cruz

2024-08-08
PIO@pittsburghpa.gov