Police: we need help keeping the South Side safe

PITTSBURGH — After a deadly shooting inside Rowdy Buck Bar on Carson Street, the Pittsburgh Public Safety director and the police chief will be asking bar owners on the South Side to address safety issues such as lighting and crowd size.

"There have been some complaints and concerns that there's too many people in the bars," said Wendell Hissrich, Pittsburgh Public Safety director. "Number two, sometime the lighting inside the bar is so dark that things happen."

Hissrich said he also wants to make sure the bars aren't letting in people who are too drunk.

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"There are particular bars (where) we are seeing a lot of problems, there's other ones that we don't see a lot of problems," Hissrich added. "What's the differences? We have to look at that. Is it the way they are managed?"

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office shut down Rowdy Buck after a deadly shooting early Sunday morning.

"We have reached an agreement with them where they will remain closed until they make an number of upgrades to their security protocols, including upgrading their cameras," said Mike Manko, spokesman for the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office. "Once that work is done, we will meet with them again to discuss having the bar reopen."

Dahrique Smith, 25, was killed. Police are still searching for the gunman.

Sources tell Target 11 the shooting was not random and that police have identified a suspect. Sources said he came to the bar looking for Smith.

Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents the South Side, said he's pleased to see the district attorney step in. While more police have been added to the mix during recent months, Kraus said the solution is not more patrols, but better management.

"It only becomes a policing issue if we fail to plan and manage on the front end," Kraus said. "It really is a planning and management (plan) that needs to be in place first."

Hissrich also said police are looking at expanding the city camera system to help with security on the South Side. Public Safety is planning to meet with bar owners in the coming weeks.

Cox Media Group