PITTSBURGH — Since mid-June, six blocks of East Carson Street have been blocked off each Friday and Saturday night for South Side Street Fest with private security monitoring entrances, equipped with metal detectors. Only people 21 and older are allowed in the space.
It’s the new late-night strategy designed to make the South Side a safer place in the summertime.
“A lot of improvement. We aren’t seeing as many fights out on the streets. We aren’t seeing officers running from one intersection to the next,” Sargent Andrew Robinson told Channel 11.
Pittsburgh Police Sargent Andrew Robinson has seen it firsthand when he works the weekend festivals.
“So far it’s been a success. There has not been a lot of violent incidents. There have been very few fights. A lot of happy people are out on the street enjoying the street fest and happy they can walk down the street with an open container from our vendors,” he added.
The statistics back up his claims.
According to Pittsburgh police, from June 20 to August 2 this summer, South Side Entertainment Patrol has only made 17 arrests, compared to last year’s 44.
Plus, officers recovered just one weapon during that time frame, which is a big contrast to 21 weapons from this time last summer.
“We have security at the gates; they’re patting people down, private security. They have to walk through the metal detectors. There are no weapons, no knives, no guns, no mace,” Sgt. Robinson said.
However, since the start of the festivals, some South Side residents tell Channel 11 that bars and restaurants have felt empty.
“The street fest has taken business away from a lot of people and a lot of the bars. A lot of my friends have lost money from bartending,” South Side resident Bunni Blue told Channel 11.
On Friday nights, Sgt. Robinson says the festivals average around 1,600 people, and on Saturdays, 2,200.
“A vibrant business district is not going to survive if it’s not safe. I’ve worked here for the last 15 years. Ebbs and flows have come down here. For a long time it was not safe, and it had that reputation. We’re making it a lot safer,” he said.
The festivals go until Sept. 12, and the plan is to host another street fest on Halloween weekend.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
