Summer/Fall 2010

WINTER 2009 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

SouthSide Lights
South Side Community
Council, Inc. South Side Quagmire: Is It Solvable?
Brashear Center A quick synopsis by Eve Trbovich
2005 Sarah Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203 I am a 30+-year resident and second gen- For roughly 20 years, South Side Local
412.431.2236 eration South Sider who’s family arrived Development Company organized the
southsidecommunitycouncil.org here from Eastern Europe at the turn of South Side Summer Street Spectacular
the 19th Century. I can share that South to bring families out for a weekend of
Side from the 1900’s to the collapse of the fun-filled activities and allow South
Board of Directors steel mills was a self-sustaining Side retail stores to flaunt their wares.
Joe Bielecki, President neighborhood in every sense of the word. It was very nice in the beginning, but as
Jim Anderson, 1st VP It had bars back then too, but these bars the alcohol establishments grew, so did
Wanda Jankoski, 2nd VP served neighborhood patrons. the number of their patrons, eventually
Jason Imbrogno, Treasurer choking the safety of day, scaring off
Eve Trbovich, Secretary In the 1980’s, Carson Street had roughly families with young children, and allow-
Virginia Carik a 60+% vacancy rate. Revitalization at- ing the bar crawling to commence way
Chuck Half tracted businesses, rents increased and before sundown. One of the first docu-
Tom Kolano small businesses found it hard to keep mented acknowledgments of the prob-
Brady Lutsko up. Much of the mom and pop retail was lems on East Carson Street by city offi-
Gail Matchett weeded out by the alcohol serving estab- cials happened in September 2004 when
Catherine Mitchell lishments. Since then, the patron base then Councilman Gene Ricciardi passed
Roberta Stackawitz
also expanded to consumers living out- the “Open Container Law”. This ordi-
side the South Side, the City of Pitts- nance prohibited the possession of open
burgh, and Allegheny County through alcohol containers on public streets. By
Inside This Issue advertisements on radio, internet, Twit- 2005, the Spectacular was no more.
ter, and word of mouth.
Continued on Page 5
South Side Quagmire 1
2009-2010 Crime Trends 1
South Side Crime Trends 2009-2010 Years
SSCC Thank you 2 Part I Crimes Jan – June 2009 Jan – June 2010 % Change
South Sider Award 2
Aggravated Assault 21 40 +90%
4th Annual Pie Sale 2
Membership Application 3 Arson 1 1 0%
Aldi 4 Burglary 50 40 -20%
Board Elections 4
Armstrong Park Public Meeting 4 Homicides 1 1 0%
Kid’s Corner 4 Motor Vehicle Theft 17 16 -.5%
Graffiti 5
Rapes 3 3 0%
Now Open 5
Police Blotter 6 Robbery 24 27 +12%
311 Blotter 6 Thefts 294 289 -1%
Noteworthy Neighbor 7
Part I Crimes Totals 411 417 +1.5%
Open Meeting 8
SSCC Calendar 8 Compiled by Deb Gilkey, Reports Specialist, Dept. of Crime Statistics for Tom Kolano, Public Safety Chair
PAGE 2 SOUTHSIDE LIGHTS SUMMER/FALL 2010

SSCC Fourth
Annual Pie Sale
SSCC
Is Here
2010 Annual Prize Day
South Side Community Council has
launched its fourth annual holiday pie & Annual Meeting
fundraiser.

Delicious 10-inch pies come in apple,

peach, cherry, strawberry/rhubarb,
pumpki n, apple /cr anb err y, a nd South Side Community Council would like to share a
peach/blueberry. What better way to special Thank You with all the South Side businesses
celebrate the seasons by serving fruity
and restaurants that helped make our Annual Meeting
pies?
a success:
All pies are $10.00. To purchase pies,
City Theatre, Cupka’s Café, The E House Company,
please remit payment by October 9th,
East Carson Fitness, Fat Head’s, Leed’s Promotional
to Gail by contacting her at 412-381-
Products, Little Tokyo Bistro, Louise Silk, Mirabella
0331. Thanks to all our members for
Day Spa, Nakama, Nick’s Imports, Piper’s Pub, Pitts-
continued support!
burgh Steak Company, Roberta Weissburg Leathers,
Look inside for the order form. Tom’s Diner, Thick Bikes and Tusca.

Outstanding South Sider Award

South Side Community Council is cluding Brashear Association,
pleased to recognize Toni Gorenc South Side Community Council,
of Sarah Street as the 2010 recipi- and South Side Local Development
ent of the Outstanding South Sider Company, as well as South Side
Award. Toni was honored for her Planning Forum. She was also rec-
longstanding record of community ognized by the community in 1999
involvement during Community through the South Side Neighbor-
Council’s 2010 annual meeting at hood Assistance Program’s (NAP)
the Brashear Association on June volunteer recognition program.
13th.
The Outstanding South Sider
Toni’s countless contributions to- Award was introduced by Commu-
wards improving the quality of life nity Council in 2009 as a way to
on the South Side include organiz- recognize individuals who have
ing a grassroots “Save Our South helped bring positive change to the
Side Hospital” campaign in an at- neighborhood. Past honorees in-
2009. In addition, she has
tempt to prevent the closing of clude Edith Barrett, Kathy Fa-
served on the boards of several
UPMC South Side Hospital in jerski, and Steve Root.
community organizations in-
 SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Please remove page and mail to South Side Community Council c/o Brashear Association

Membership Application
c/o Brashear Association 2005 Sarah Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203
www.southsidecommunitycouncil.org

PERSONAL INFORMATION INVOLVEMENT:

Name: Yes! I want to get involved…please con-

______________________________________ tact me about the:

Address: Internal Processes Subcommittees:

______________________________________ □ Membership Committee
□ Communications/Marketing Com-
City, State, Zip: mittee
______________________________________ □ Event Planning
□ Fundraising Committee
Phone - Day:
______________________________________ External Relations Subcommittees:
Phone - Evening: □ University Relations
□ Neighborhood Community Liaison
______________________________________
□ Business Liaison
Email Address:
______________________________________ Action & Advocacy Subcommittees:
□ Graffiti Watch
□ Yes! Save a stamp - email me the News-
□ Beautification/Green N’at
letter!
□ Public Safety
□ Building & Zoning Committee
PAYMENT INFORMATION
□ Enclosed is my $10 check or money order □ I have a questions and/or concerns
made payable to the South Side Community regarding our community. Please
Council. (Student and Senior Citizen mem- contact
bership annual rate is $5.00.) me!

□ Enclosed is an additional donation of

$_____ in support of the South Side Commu-
nity Council’s efforts.

□ I am interested in making a donation of

materials or services. Please contact me.
PAGE 4 SOUTHSIDE LIGHTS SUMMER/FALL 2010

South Siders Ready for

Aldi Arrival
More than 60 residents attended an
informational meeting with representa-
tives from discount-grocer Aldi, hosted
by South Side Community council on
Sept. 13. The chain plans to construct an approximately
18,000 square-foot store on S. 27th & E. Carson Streets,
which it hopes to open in 2012. This will be the first
Aldi store within Pittsburgh city limits and the site will
include 60 parking spaces for cars in the back of the
store, along with 30 bike spaces along S. 27th Street,
and free off-site parking for employees.
Aldi offers 1,400 of the most frequently purchased gro-
cery and household items at prices that are from 20 to
60 percent lower—and of equal or better quality—than
similar items at traditional grocery chains. Store repre-
sentatives claim that the average family of four can
save up to $3,000 to $4,000 on their annual grocery bill
by shopping at Aldi.
Aldi expects to hire between 15 to 20 full- and part-time
employees at the South Side store, with cashier wages
starting at $11 per hour and full-benefits for all em-
ployees working more than 20 hours a week. The store
will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sat-
urday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. on Sunday.
SSCC BOARD ELECTIONS
Congratulations to Tom Kolano, newly elected
board member for the 2010-2012 term. Tom is also
our public safety chair.
A hearty congratulations also goes to our re-
elected Board members: Joe Bielecki, Virginia
Carik, Wanda Jankoski, Gail Matchett, and Cath-
erine Mitchell.
ARMSTRONG PARK AND ESSER
PLAZA OPEN SPACE
PUBLIC MEETING
SSLDC wants to know if you think that these open
spaces are being put to the best and highest uses. Are
there certain elements of these open spaces that you
particularly enjoy or dislike? Would you prefer other
uses and amenities at this site?
What: Public Meeting to discuss Armstrong
Park and Esser Plaza as it is, and what it can be. This
will be the first community meeting that will seek to
guide designs and plans for future capital improve-
ments to the site.
When: Monday, September 27
Time: 6 PM
Where: South Side Market House
12th and Bingham
Overall Project Purpose
• General Neighborhood Demographics
• Armstrong Park, Esser Plaza and E. Carson St.
Alley Existing Conditions
• Initial Opportunities and Challenges
• Vision (Playground versus Park versus Commons)
• Park Amenity Brain Storming Session
i. What could be in the Park
ii. What should not be in the Park
This is your public space – Your input will help craft
the roadmap that will seek to guide future investments
in Armstrong Park and Esser Plaza.
Kids Corner

FUN IN THE SUN

South Side residents Mandy Mikula and children CJ
11 yrs old, Brian 7 yrs old and David 6 yrs old keep
cool and active in the July 2010 heat by taking a
Ducky Tour.
CJ shared that he liked “learning about the history
of the city.” Brian added “I liked driving the boat”,
while David loved greeting passersby shouting:
“Quack, quack, quack!”
Most of all, Mom enjoyed the opportunity to enter-
tain her boys with a fun and outdoorsy activity. They
had a blast. Quack, quack, quack!
PAGE 5 SOUTHSIDE LIGHTS SUMMER/FALL 2010

Continued from Page 1

GRAFFITI
In 2006, South Side Community Council member
Susan McCoy, along with additional board mem- Graffiti contributes to: blight, increased criminal activ-
bers and residents, created the South Side Bar ity, reduced property values, and increased expenses
Task Force. The task force helped create legisla- regarding damage to property and costs of removal.
tion, with support of then Councilman Jeffrey
Koch, to prohibit the utilization of additional liq- In order to prevent and remove graffiti on the South
uor licenses on the South Side based on satura- Side we need your help. As a volunteer you can help us
tion levels. South Side had a brief moratorium by monitoring and reporting locations of graffiti on the
until the legislation was recently challenged in South Side to 311 or 911, Adopting a Spot, and partici-
court and overturned. Since then approximately pating in paint-outs. There’s a job for you!!
six additional liquor licenses were added or ex-
panded to the 126 already present. For information and to volunteer contact: Steve Root
via email at graffitiwatch@gmail.com or by phone at
Then there is the picture of our neighborhood 412-496-2272
that media paints. Media plays a big role. One
week evening last year around 7 p.m., I became
sickly aware of our neighborhood’s perception
while being greeted by a New York City 20- South Side
something year old who ecstatically stated he Community Council
was in Pittsburgh specifically to visit the South welcomes these new
Side. His first question to me was “Where is all businesses to the
the action?” He was highly upset and dismayed neighborhood:
at the quiet and empty weekday streets. The
only noise apparent was coming from passing
traffic. This meet and greet was just days after
the Penguins won the Stanley Cup and news Go Wireless - 2755 E. Carson St.
clips of that same debouched evening when the
Lin’s Asian Fusion - 2018 E. Carson St.
city, county and state police, clad in riot gear,
tried to make order out of a highly intoxicated Mullen's Bar & Grill - 2100 E. Carson St.
horde processing up and down Carson Street. My Pino Gelato - 436 S. 27th St.
in-laws also saw the clips—in Morocco. Sal’s Pizza - 1322 E. Carson St.
Strata - 1901 E. Carson St.
Now its 2010 and crime is still permeating. Prop- Stuffurnishings - 2004 E. Carson St.
erty damage, aggravated assault, and public uri- Taqueria Mexico City - 2212 E. Carson St.
nation continue as well as random and premedi-
tated stabbings. Just this last week of August, a
Togonuts - 445 S. 27th St.
shooting in the late hours of the night injured
more than one person. Is this normal? No. Source: South Side Local Development Co.
Should we learn to accept this behavior and deal
with it? No. Should residents bear the brunt and
costs of damages? No. Do we want visitors to re-
spect our property, peace and tranquility? Yes.
Do we want to enjoy our neighborhood? Yes. Do
South Side Community Council
we want others to enjoy our neighborhood? Yes. would like to thank
Do we want to feel safe? Yes.
Copies At Carson
I spoke with Councilman Bruce Kraus about and its contributing authors for their out-
quality of life issues and the possibility of bal- standing support of
ance being achieved within the residential/
business corridor. For the interview, check out SouthSide Lights
page 7.
THANK YOU!
Our next quarterly edition: Winter 2010
PAGE 6 SOUTHSIDE LIGHTS
SUMMER/FALL 2010

POLICE BLOTTER March 9, 2009 through August 29, 2010

Crime Stats for South Side Flats Reckless Endangerment of Another 2 Crime Stats for South Side Slopes
Aggravated Assault 47 Resisting Arrest 5 Aggravated Assault 7
Accidents 96 Robbery Business 1 Accidents 22
Armed Person 2 Robbery of a Person 34 Burglary: Residence 39
Arrestable Driving Offence 26 Simple Assault 77 Criminal Mischief 47
Bad Checks 1 Simple Assault: Loss of Property 1 Criminal Trespassing:Residence 1
Bench Warrant 1 Stalking 1 Disorderly Conduct 2
Burglary: Business 3 Stolen Vehicle 3 DOA 1
Burglary: Residence 44 Stolen Vehicle:Recreation Vehicle 4 Drugs Arrests 12
Criminal Mischief 184 Tampering w/Evidence 1 DUI 4
Criminal Trespassing 3 Terroristic Threats 8 DUI/Arrestable Driving Offence 4
Disorderly Conduct 30 Theft by Deception 12 Fraud 3
DOA 11 Theft: Auto 99 Harassment 41
Drug Arrests 24 Theft: Business 24 ID Theft 1
DUI 50 Theft: Person 160 Loiter 1
DUI/Arrestable driving offence 15 Theft: Residence 2 Robbery of a Person 9
Forgery 3 Unauthorized Use of Vehicle 1 Simple Assault 19
Fraud 3 Vehicle Code Arrestable Crime 1 Stolen Vehicle:Recreation Vehicle 3
Harassment 88 Warrant Arrests 1 Terroristic Threats 5
ID Theft 1 Theft by Deception 3
Illegal Firearm 1 Theft: Auto 44
Loss of Property 18 Theft: Person 40
Receiving Stolen Property 3 Theft: Residence 2

South Side 311 Service Calls March 9, 2009 through August 29, 2010

Abandoned Vehicle 61 EnvServ: Missed Blue Bag 5 Patrol 27

Animal Control: Animal Feces 3 EnvServ: Missed Pickup 24 Permit—Residential 12
Animal Control: Dead Animal 4 EnvServ: Rodent Control 6 Permit-Commercial 5
Animal Control: Dog Barking 1 EnvServ:Violations 23 Potholes 196
Animal Control: Dead Bird 1 EnvServ: Yard Debris 4 Retaining Wall 7
Bicycle Related 5 Graffiti 32 Salt Box 5
Boat on Street 1 Handrails 8 Sewers 20
Building Violation:Residential 49 Homeless 1 Sidewalk Need Repaired 21
Building Violation: Commercial 7 Inspections 3 Sign Request 33
City Steps 16 Litter 4 Signs-Replacement 48
Construction: Residential 4 Manhole Cover 3 Sinkhole 5
Curbs 5 Noise 4 Snow & Ice Control 91
Dead Animal 3 Occupancy: Residential 7 Street Cleaning 14
Demolition 13 Occupancy: Commercial 4 Street Resurfacing 27
Drug Enforcement 8 Overgrowth 58 Tree removal 34
Dumping 14 Paint Crosswalks 2 Weeds/Debris 123
Dumpsters 3 Parks: Court 2 Vacant and Open 12
Dumpster Permit 7 Parks: Playground 2
EnvServ: Early Set Out 16 Parking 19
 PAGE 7
A NOTEWORTHY NEIGHB
EIGHBOR
An Interview with
Councilman Bruce Kraus
Over the last 10 years, Bruce
Kraus has been a member of South
Side Community Council and the
President of the Chamber of Com-
merce for purposes of working to
improve quality of life in the South
Side. When opportunity arose, he
ran for City Hall in 2008 to have
more of a legislative impact and
with the support of the community,
he won.
Now faced with a catalyst of exas-
perated and fed up constituents
and responsible businesses, a num-
ber of nightclubs that can’t handle
their patrons and a police force
undermanned and so exhausted
with weekend crime and bad be-
havior, I asked him what’s his
solution:
Bruce: “The world no longer oper-
ates 9AM to 5PM, Monday through
Friday. It operates 24/7 and city
leaders need to understand that in
order to provide the services resi-
dents deserve, we have to change.
Our economy has changed from one
of steel manufacturing to one of
education and medicine. Therefore,
we have more students living here
than ever before. We are not
unique in this. Cities all around
the country with large youth popu-
lations are dealing with student
life, it’s impact on long term resi-
dents and the desire for students to
SOUTHSIDE LIGHTS
socialize and consume alcohol. The
socializing combined with excessive
alcohol equate the current problems.
South Side has taken on the persona
of Party Central with no consequences
to bad behavior. Some examples:
We had the Pitt football player throw-
ing another into a store front window,
the City of Pittsburgh firefighter who
assaulted a resident after being repri-
manded for urinating on private prop-
erty and the random gunshots at
Town Tavern the last week of Au-
gust.”
Q: What do you intend to do?
Bruce: “I have two goals. One short
term and one long term goal.
The Short Term: Getting the state to
understand their responsibility in this
situation, the state dictates where and
when all alcohol licenses can locate
but bears no responsibility in provid-
ing services to mitigate impact. Also
keep in mind, Carson Street is a State
Highway. The State provided the liq-
uor licenses and makes money from
Alcohol establishments, but does not
provide for adequate Liquor or Law
Enforcement. I have requested the
Mayor and our Chief of Police ask the
State for State Police Assistance but
the request fell on deaf ears.
However, I was successful in meeting
with Chief Harper, William Bochter
Assistant Chief of Operations, Com-
mander McNeilly, and Lt. Sloan who
agreed with me there is a problem on
the South Side that can only escalate.
They are willing to have officers speak
with bar owners about the role they
can play in maintaining order and
agreed to participate in a broader ef-
fort with the Department of Public
Works and Bureau of Building Inspec-
tion — to manage East Carson
Street's nightclub district.
My long term goal is to successfully
implement the Responsibility Hospi-
tality Initiative based on the RHI
Plan my office produced last summer:
Many residents have received copies
SUMMER/FALL 2010
of this plan. If you have not, we will be
happy to get a copy to you. You can
also read the full report at:
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/
district3/assets/09_RHZ_
South_Side_Proposal.3.pdf.
I am now in the process of securing
funding that would include participa-
tion and assistance from Carnegie Mel-
lon University and Duquesne Univer-
sity .
My Plan would include:
• A system for standardizing the
training and certification for all
Security personnel at alcohol serv-
ing establishments;
• Maintain a code enforcement team
comprised of Public Safety Depart-
ments: Bureau of Building Inspec-
tion, Department of Public Works
and Bureau of Fire to collectively
ensure all businesses are up to
code; and
• Work with Judges to educate them
on the need to take cases of nui-
sance behavior and damage to
quality of life seriously.”
Q: What are the obstacles?
Bruce: What is missing is the political
will to ensure the law of the land is
strictly enforced. The law maker is
elected by majority vote. Legislators
write laws by will of the people that are
collectively voted by the majority. It is
the responsibility of the Executive
Branch to implement and deliver the
will of the people.”
Q: What can residents do to help?
Bruce: “Reorganize into a strong uni-
fied residential voice. There is tremen-
dous power in numbers. The law is
clearly on our side. It is illegal to serve
to a visually drunk person. It is illegal
to be intoxicated in public. It is illegal
to serve anyone under the age of 21.
This problem is solvable. On my word
we will fix this.”
Interviewer: Eve Trbovich
 Summer/Fall 2010 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Check the southsidecommunitycouncil.com and the So. Pittsburgh Reporter for

SouthSide Lights
How to Protect Yourself Against Home Invasion, Scams & Identity Theft
pen Meeting
Detective Michael Pilyih and Detective Dave Jellison:

City of Pittsburgh Police Computer Crimes Division

Dates to Remember
City of Pittsburgh Police Department of Burglary

September 16th: SSCC Pie Sale begins: get your

Open

fabulous fruit pies for the holidays!

September 25th: Graffiti Paint Out. Meet at 9AM
Brashear Association, 2005 Sarah St.

behind St. Casimir’s Church, 22nd and Larkin’s

Next SSCC O

South Side Community Council

Way.
Officer Michael G. Overholt:

November 16th: Pot Luck Thanksgiving Dinner

with Duquesne Students: get-to-know your
neighbor. Look for upcoming details at:

Pittsburgh, PA 15203
southsidecommunitycouncil.com

c/o Brashear Center

2005 Sarah Street
November 19th and 20th: South Side Community

To:
upcoming details. Council Pie Pick up at Prince of Peace Parish Cen-
ter, 81 S. 13th Street. Pick up times: to be an-
October 2010
nounced.
South Side Community
Council, Inc.
c/o Brashear Center
2005 Sarah Street
Speakers:
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Where:
When:
412.431.2236
What:
southsidecommunitycouncil.org