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Efforts to curb violence and disorder on Pittsburgh’s South Side are paying off, business owners and public safety officials said Tuesday.
The South Side, especially the bustling East Carson Street business district, has earned a reputation as one of the city’s most chaotic areas. Residents and business owners have shared concerns about a spike in crime and unruly behavior in their neighborhoods after pandemic restrictions are lifted. Some claimed that so-called “problem bars” were allowing crowds to gather outside their establishments in the early hours of the morning.
More than a year after residents called for increased police presence in the area last summer, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials announced the return of the Southside Entertainment Patrol, dedicated to Carson Street. Ten police officers and one sergeant will be patrolling the area from 7pm to 5am Thursday through Sunday.
“As a business owner, it had a huge impact on society. [South Side] It’s been an apartment building since our inception,” Urban Tap owner John DeMauro said.
DeMauro and nine other business owners formed Southside Hospitality Partnership last summer. This is just one of a community group that was formed in the wake of several violent incidents in the neighborhood. Members meet regularly to discuss how management themselves can address issues.
DeMauro said the group created guidelines for how local businesses should operate and helped reduce crime and violence. He credited the shared ID system, which notifies participating businesses when a bar bans unwanted patrons.
According to Police Sergeant Andrew Robinson, Entertainment Patrol has arrested 95 people and recovered 18 firearms since it was formed in July. Patrols also conducted more than 200 traffic stops and issued more than 1,000 citations for summary offenses such as parking tickets and disorderly conduct.
“When people focus on what’s important and work together, things like this happen,” Don Berman, a South Side resident and member of the South Side Community Action Network, told reporters gathered at Mario’s South Side Saloon on Tuesday. Things happen,” he said.
Berman praised the efforts of community partners, business owners, public safety and local leaders to reduce disruption.
“If you’re thinking of coming down to East Carson Street right now and trying to drive in the back of a car to get to the pregame or cause some trouble, the Southside Entertainment Patrol will give you another idea. “I guess so,” he said. .
Despite the perception that the South Side was particularly violent last summer, Pittsburgh Police Department crime data released in July showed a decline in violence in the area. The number of shooting incidents and calls to shoot decreased in summer 2023 compared to summer 2022.
But safety and security issues on the South Side were campaign issues in both the county executive and district attorney races last year. Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Sirotto said the need for additional enforcement is clear.
He said that prior to the establishment of Entertainment Patrol, there was “not much enforcement” of existing laws regarding violent and disruptive behavior.
“The conduct was unchecked and it created an ‘anything goes’ environment,” he added. But he said there was a new message for visitors who disrupted the order. “We show you are not welcome by enforcing the laws set against those who act outside of community expectations.”
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