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‘South Side Blitz' featuring increased police presence to begin Friday

PITTSBURGH — New security measures implemented by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on the city’s South Side are set to begin tonight.

Among the changes, the mayor said there will be increased building inspectors and firefighters patrolling the area to crack down on overcrowded bars.

Police will also saturate alleyways and look for disorderly conduct. Roving DUI patrols and towing enforcement will also be present.

"It's a pretty safe bet that if you're here breaking the law in any shape or form, you're going to be cited," Ravenstahl said.

Ravenstahl didn't say how much the "South Side Blitz" will cost, but admitted that restoring civility to the South Side will be expensive.

Patty Kilgore works in the South Side and told Channel 11’s Dave Bondy that she thinks the increased police presence is a good idea.

“I have a co-worker that I work with that lives here, and she said on the weekends it’s terrible,” Kilgore said.

George Pantelas, who owns Excuses Bar and Grille on 26th Street, is against the blitz because he said it will hurt business. According to Pantelas, the usual South Side trouble is on the other end of Carson Street.

“The chase came from a different district and ended up down here, but they’re making it like it’s South Side all the time, which it’s not. What happened down at the end was a fluke,” Pantelas said.

Authorities haven’t said how long the increased law enforcement will be in place.

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