PITTSBURGH — 11 Investigates has learned exclusively that a popular nightclub on East Carson Street has been designated as a disruptive property by the City of Pittsburgh.
This comes after a weekend filled with trouble both inside and outside Capo’s on the South Side.
Over the weekend, police responded to multiple fights. One started inside the bar, and another just outside the club.
Police used tasers and pepper spray to break up the altercations. Police also responded to a call for shots fired outside the club. No one was hit by gunfire.
Today, Pittsburgh police posted a green sign on the front door of the nightclub, declaring it a disruptive property.
“It’s a huge win for the community,” said Councilman Bob Charland, who represents the South Side. “As you know, I toured the South Side over the weekend and Capo’s was by far the most problematic facility.”
Charland told Chief Investigator Rick Earle there’s been repeated trouble at the nightclub, which has been open for about two years. He said this new designation will allow the city to charge the owner for any city services, such as police response.
“Police, EMS, fire, if any of those things come, taxpayers don’t pay the bill for that. The property itself will be charged that bill,” Charland said.
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Earle also spoke with people who live and work near East Carson Street on the South Side.
“You think it’s good they are taking action against the establishment?” Earle asked.
“Oh yeah, it’s been long enough,” said Milly Heyl, who works on East Carson Street and also lives nearby.
“It is a disruptive property,” said another frequent visitor to the South Side, who complained that there aren’t enough police officers to control the large crowds that have gathered on weekend nights on East Carson Street during the past month.
People who live and work in this area welcome the city’s crackdown.
“I live here, there’s always disruptions down here,” said one resident.
It’s reached a boiling point during the past month, when large crowds have gathered on East Carson Street.
Pittsburgh police, facing a staffing shortage, were overwhelmed by the huge crowds during two weekends last month and issued an emergency call for help from surrounding police departments.
Officers from a number of other departments, including Monroeville and Penn Hills, responded to East Carson Street to help officers clear the streets.
They did not respond this past weekend after the police officer union and some council members raised liability concerns.
Residents say they are fed up with the often unruly crowds.
“It happens all the time,” said Milly Heyl. “And they start going down into the neighborhoods, and they start bothering people, waking up people’s kids. They’ve come in our yard so drunk that they don’t know where they are.”
Councilman Charland also said there was a fight between the manager of the nightclub and some of his employees in a parking lot after the bar had closed.
Charland said he also saw the owner of the nightclub leaving the club earlier in the evening.
“He left fifteen minutes after the shooting happened, walking out of the bar on the street,” Charland said. “We saw him there. He knows what’s going on. He’s aware of what kind of establishment he’s running.”
Charland said he’s also reached out to the Allegheny County district attorney about the possibility of shutting down the nightclub by declaring it a nuisance bar.
There was no one at the club when Channel 11 stopped by Thursday afternoon.
11 Investigates also called the number for the nightclub, but no one answered, and the message machine indicated it was full.
The owner can appeal the city’s declaration of a disruptive property.
Under city code, the property would be cleared after six months with no incidents.
It remains unclear if the owner will open the bar and face the possibility of lofty fines from the city.
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