Pittsburgh Homeless Encampment Site: Cops Seize Drugs At Filthy Camp

PITTSBURGH, PA — Five people were arrested Wednesday as police cleared a Downtown homeless encampment that Pittsburgh Public Safety officials described as "a public health and fire hazard."

Authorities said the encampment was littered with piles piles of trash, crack pipes, needles, rotten food, human feces and urine. Several propane tanks were located around and inside tents.

The five arrests, made by the Pittsburgh Police Narcotics, Violence Prevention Unit and Downtown Public Safety Center detectives, focused on two tents in the encampment at the corner of Grant Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard.

Detectives seized quantities of crack cocaine and lorazepam pills believed to be intended for distribution from the tents and arrested Davidt Brown and Diadra Lomax on narcotics charges.

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

All of those arrested provided police with a valid home address.

Authorities observed the following violations of the city encampment policy during their search:

• Evidence of conspicuous selling of illegal drugs or paraphernalia.

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

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