By Daveen Rae Kurutz
Tribune-Review
Friday, August 11, 2006

Visitors to Downtown have a new resource to help them navigate through the busy streets and deal with any problems they might encounter.

The nonprofit Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which works to improve the quality of life Downtown, announced yesterday the addition of nine "safety ambassadors" to the business district. The ambassadors, who have been on the job since July 1, have no enforcement powers, but will assist Pittsburgh police with such scourges as panhandling and graffiti.

"They're available when the police can't be there," said partnership chairman Tom Grenlish. "They are able to be that liaison between visitors, workers and Pittsburgh police."

Visitors to Downtown can approach the black-and-blue-clad ambassadors for advice -- from directions to recommendations for a good place to eat -- and help, if they are unable to find a police officer. Steve Hillard, vice-president of Block by Block, the company that employs the ambassadors, said his employees can contact the police directly if they encounter a situation they can't handle alone.

"They're trained in conflict resolution, so if they come across an altercation, they can try to defuse the situation," Grenlish said. "If they can't solve it, they bring in the police. The police know if they're calling, it's for a real problem."

The ambassadors also are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and hospitality services. The ambassadors were already on the job when the All-Star festivities came through Pittsburgh last month, when they helped thousands of visitors enjoy their visits, Hillard said.

"They received quite a workout," he said. "They provided a much-needed touch of hospitality to the busy city life."

While their presence is meant to make visits to Downtown more pleasant, safety is their primary purpose. City police Chief Dominic J. Costa said his department is excited about the project.

"They're going to be extra sets of eyes and ears out there for us," Costa said. "Hopefully, other areas that can use this sort of program will follow the leadership of Downtown."

The ambassadors will be on duty seven days a week from 11 a.m. to midnight. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Swissvale, worked to secure a $200,000 federal grant that will pay their hourly salaries of $9.50 an hour, plus benefits.

The addition of this program to Downtown is one that Mayor Bob O'Connor has advocated for a while, said his spokesman, Dick Skrinjar.

"We're always trying to make Downtown cleaner and safer, and this initiative fits in perfectly with that plan," Skrinjar said. "We want to see the city become a destination city, a place we can all be proud of."

Daveen Rae Kurutz can be reached at dkurutz@tribweb.com or 412-380-5627.