PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh City Councilperson and several South Side businesses are asking the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office to seek a court-ordered closure of Capo’s on East Carson Street after a person was stabbed inside the bar Friday night.
Public safety officials say the stabbing happened during a fight just before midnight.
The victim was in critical condition. A police officer on patrol found the person outside the bar.
“The bar took the victim and threw them out the back door and basically said, ‘Good luck, best of luck to you,’” Bob Charland, a councilperson representing the South Side.
“There was like eight police cars and an ambulance, and we didn’t know what was going on,” one witness recalled.
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On Saturday, Charland and several organizations — including South Side Community Council, South Side Chamber of Commerce and South Side Hospitality Partnership — released the following open letter:
“We call on the District Attorney’s Office to return to court immediately and seek the closure of Capo’s through the existing Section 611 nuisance proceeding.
“Just before midnight on October 30, police found a person with a stab wound to the chest near South 14th and East Carson streets. The victim was transported in critical condition. Police reported a fight inside Capo’s, found evidence inside the establishment, and evacuated the premises to secure the scene.
“Capo’s was already given an opportunity to continue operating under a consent agreement intended to address unsafe conditions. By allowing weapons inside, Capo’s violated at least three provisions of that agreement. The conditions imposed to protect patrons, and the community have been breached. The District Attorney’s Office must now seek closure.
“A consent agreement must carry consequences. If its conditions are violated, public officials must enforce them. Another round of promises cannot substitute for accountability.
“At some point, remediation stops being a remedy and becomes another postponement of accountability.
“We believe that point has been more than reached.
“We recognize the gravity of seeking a business closure and the consequences for its owners and employees. But the livelihoods of every other business on the street also matter. Violence associated with Capo’s discourages people from visiting the South Side, costs neighboring businesses customers, and undermines the district’s future. The entire community bears the cost in lost peace of mind and diminished freedom to enjoy our neighborhood. Those consequences cannot continue to be treated as an acceptable price for keeping one business open.
“Residents deserve safe streets. Patrons deserve to enter a business without facing violence. Responsible businesses deserve a district where customers feel safe visiting.
“We ask the District Attorney’s Office to seek court-ordered closure and publicly identify the next enforcement steps.
“The community should not have to wait for another person to be seriously injured before meaningful action is taken.”
The district attorney’s office has cited more than 40 incidents at Capo’s since it opened two years ago.
In August, the district attorney’s office issued nearly two dozen demands for the bar to follow, warning it could be shut down if it did not comply.
“As far as I am concerned, they are the most dangerous bar in the county,” Charland said. “We believe that actually multiple times ago should’ve been the last time. We are well past that at this point.”
The latest incident came after repeated concerns about fights, assaults and underage drinking.
Some nearby residents and businesses hope something is done.
“If they can’t contain what they’re trying to do, then it’s probably good enough to say it should be shut down,” one neighbor said.
Capo’s remained closed Saturday night.
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