PITTSBURGH — On Tuesday, nearly 200 people registered for Mayor Ed Gainey’s meeting for South Side residents and business owners.
During the packed event held at the South Side Market House, many people, including several business owners, stood up and gave Gainey their honest and unfiltered opinions on what needs to be done to improve safety in the area.
.@MayorEdGainey just arrived and shook hands with the residents of the @SouthSidePgh @SarafinaWPXI #WPXI pic.twitter.com/SYf0vj5oeZ
— Gigi (@wpxigigi) June 14, 2022
The mayor gave a passionate speech, telling business owners that violence destroys profit and public safety makes money. Gainey announced that by working together, the culture of the South Side can change.
Key points that are being discussed: pic.twitter.com/BQlWETFr2u
— Sarafina James (@SarafinaWPXI) June 14, 2022
Last weekend, Gainey took a late-night walk around the neighborhood following what was a string of violent crimes, including fights and shootings in the area.
Several businesses have been impacted by the violence, including Cambod-ican Kitchen on Carson Street. The restaurant was damaged by bullets when a man took cover from gunfire there. Down the street, Fudge Farm recently announced they’re permanently closing, citing crime as the reason.
“What I saw Saturday night, it just shouldn’t be,” said Gainey on Tuesday. “My message to you and all of Pittsburgh is public safety is our No. 1 priority.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, business owners listed several grievances, including public drunkenness, loitering including kids under 18 hanging around outside of bars, damaged property,
“Please save us!” says a business owner. Youth, urination, violence, broken glass, shootings, etc. are just some of the issues being brought up to the @MayorEdGainey on the @SouthSidePgh @SarafinaWPXI #WPXI pic.twitter.com/KDn9KrmrIw
— Gigi (@wpxigigi) June 14, 2022
urinating on sidewalks, drug use, prostitution, sex trafficking and guns, especially in the hands of those underaged.
“The people who visit have no respect for our neighborhood,” said one South Side business owner.
“Forget about the business district, you will lose people who live here,” said a longtime South Side resident.
“No respect for our neighborhood.” The @SouthSidePgh community is frustrated and letting @MayorEdGainey and fellow neighbors how upset they are. They are begging for help and civility to come back to their streets. @SarafinaWPXI #WPXI pic.twitter.com/jPqdnigsKD
— Gigi (@wpxigigi) June 14, 2022
The public suggested that the mayor implement proactive policing, set curfews, early closings for bars and food vendors and having mounted patrol along Carson Street.
Gainey says he plans to make another late-night visit to the South Side in the coming weeks.
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