Pittsburgh, county leaders trying to shut down South Side bar, owner says
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A South Side bar owner says city and county leaders are looking to shut him down after a chaotic brawl seriously hurt a Pittsburgh police sergeant this weekend.
Security cameras caught the fight outside Oddballs over the weekend.
Sergeant Andrew Robinson has been with Pittsburgh police for 13 years. He oversees the South Side Entertainment Patrol. He tried to calm down a situation inside Oddballs this weekend and ended up in a fight that left him with a broken leg and ankle.
The South Side's city councilperson is now calling for Oddballs to be shut down.
"I'm very appalled. I'm outraged that this establishment continues to behave this way. To invite a clientele where something like this could happen to our officer here," says Bob Charland, District 3 councilperson.
The video shows a man in a shirt that had "security" on it and others dragging Robinson and a man fighting him back onto the sidewalk. Other police officers soon rushed in.
"He (Robinson) is like a brother to us. So, you are seeing your brother hurt, and if you watch the video, it looks like he tackles one of the people who pushed him down with a leg that is clearly out of place."
Video shows Robinson holding onto 23-year-old Jonathan Morin, who was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Police say the fight started inside the bar with a little pushing and shoving.
Councilperson Charland and other politicians are calling for the bar to be shut down.
"What we have done is called on the district attorney, LCE, the LCB, and Mayor Gainey's Disruptive Properties Task Force to do something about this place. We would love to see it shuttered, but unfortunately, we don't have the power to do that ourselves,"Charland said.
Matthew Miklos and his parents own Oddballs. He tells KDKA-TV that he got a call from Liquor Control Enforcement on Sunday. They said the district attorney's office was looking to padlock the door.
He said they've spent $500,000 in security over the past four and a half years.
Miklos told KDKA-TV, "I do not know what else I can do besides rebranding the bar, but that will not solve these issues with the criminal element down in South Side. I am not the cause of the crime in the South Side or responsible for the actions of delinquents, and I am certainly not the only bar down there that caters to the crowd."
KDKA-TV reached out to Mayor Gainey's office for comment. His spokesperson told KDKA-TV, "The mayor is not available at this time."
Police Chief Larry Scirotto also wasn't available.
In a statement, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said the brawl is under review by detectives with the Nuisance Bar Task Force. Those detectives met Monday with Liquor Control Enforcement "to determine what, if any, administrative measures need to be taken with its license to operate, including, but not limited to the closure of the establishment," the district attorney's office said.
Zappala intends to meet with a group of South Side business owners to discuss these issues as soon as this week.
"The discussion of taking away a business's ability to operate is a very serious subject," Zappala said in a statement. "We will be prepared to have that conversation if needed. Right now, we are gathering the necessary information and wishing Sgt. Robinson a quick recovery."
Southside Barber Shop raising money for the injured officer
On Friday, all proceeds from the Southside Barber Shop, located near Oddballs, will be donated to Sgt. Robinson's recovery.
"As a part of the South Side community, we would like to show our support and appreciations to Sergeant Andrew Robinson, and the rest of the Pittsburgh city police officers and law enforcement, who risk their lives daily to keep our city and community as safe as possible," the shop said on social media.
The barber shop is open on Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
