PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Local leaders are trying to find ways to make the South Side safer.

Officials from the Liquor Control Board, bar owners, members of City Council, the District Attorney’s office, residents and others had a seat at the table.

On any given weekend, as many as 20,000 people pass through the streets of the neighborhood, including East Carson Street.

DA Stephen Zappala and Councilman Bruce Kraus acknowledge the problems on the South Side have moved beyond parking to violent crime.

“The best way to mitigate that – not that you’ll ever solve it – the best way mitigate high crimes like that is more police,” Keith Kotara, a bar owner, said.

“I hope there’s a meeting every month to find out what’s going on – are we doing the lighting, are we doing the transportation, are we doing the night court that we’re talking about?

“These are the things that have to happen to make the South Side what it can and should be as a fun, exciting, place,” Jake Vogel, a bar owner, said.

Two recent shootings on the South Side – one at Angel’s Bar, the other at Club Zen – may have prompted Monday’s meeting, but it’s actions, not words, that will reclaim the South Side.

Officials say there are no easy answers. It didn’t happen overnight and it’s going to take a while for all of these efforts to come together.

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