Pittsburgh, community working to solve pandemic surge in violence on National Night Out

PITTSBURGH — “It’s become a source of great concern for many people and a source of real disruption for many people,” Robert Cavalier, of Pittsburgh’s South Side, said.

Tuesday marked National Night Out, a time when police and community members across Pittsburgh are working to find a solution to the pandemic surge in violence.

On the city’s South Side, a triple shooting two weeks ago and another one over the weekend have neighbors worried and the city implementing new traffic patterns.

>>STORY: 15-year-old arrested in connection with triple shooting in Pittsburgh’s South Side

Neighbors said the violence starts on East Carson Street and then trickles into the surrounding neighborhood.

“That’s where you get the problematic behavior -- urination, fist fights, breaking car mirrors and all that,” Councilman Bruce Kraus said.

Public safety officials said the new restrictions will be in place again this weekend to allow first responders to get where they need to in case of an emergency.

>>PREVIOUS STORY: New traffic patterns in Pittsburgh’s South Side start this weekend in hopes of improving safety

Other changes are coming, too.

“We’re going to add some additional cameras and additional lighting,” Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said.

Representatives are also planning to meet with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board in an effort to crack down on a small number of bars enabling bad behavior. One council member said more liquor control enforcement agents are needed to do the job right.

‘No vaccination = No service,’ Pittsburgh establishments requiring masks, proof of vaccination

©2021 Cox Media Group