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Strip District Safety: False Alarm Or Real Concern?
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 10-17-2000, 7:46 AM
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Is violence in Pittsburgh's Strip District usually an isolated incident or part of a growing trend? Do you feel safe going there?
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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ladibug119
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08-18-2004, 8:27 AM
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I have no real experience with the bouncers, but I did have my vehicle broken into about a year ago, and we assume that when the individual(s) found that we hadn't left anything of value behind, they left my headlights and dome light on, perhaps in an attempt to kill the battery and leave my two friends and me open and vulnerable. Thank God the truck started! When I reported it to the police, all they did was take a short report, but nothing was ever followed up on. There really is a lack of well-lit parking -- my car was parked on Smallman across from Benkovitz when this happened, and the spaces between the cars would've been the perfect spot for someone to hide out...and nobody would've been around to know.
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cosmo531
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08-18-2004, 8:22 AM
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I was reading about the bouncers, and I had to add my comment to this discussion. A couple years ago, me and two of my girlfriends were coming out of Tequila Willy's nightclub down in the Strip. As we were coming out, a group of drunk guys started messing with us. I just kept walking trying to ignore them, when I looked back, I noticed the one guy was grabbing my friends arm. As she tried to fight him off, I watched him throw her across the sidewalk. Out of instinct, I started running up to the guy who did that to her, and yes, I struck him. As soon as that happened, I was thrown down to the ground by an at least 350 bouncer. I suffered a very bad injury to my knee, and just last week I had to have surgery to fix it. I understand that the bouncer was just doing his job, and I should not have made matters worse by running after the guy who tossed my best friend, but the problem I have with the whole situation, is that the bouncers, and the policemen on duty blamed the incident on us. They completely ignored the fact that a man hit my friend (a girl) first, and that they started with us. It was absolutely sickening that the police would allow a group of guys to beat up on three girls the way that those men did. I have no trust in the security down in the strip ever since, and I will not go down there anymore. Now I am recovering from surgery and have a scar to remember that night for the rest of my life. To answer the question, no, I do not feel safe going there!
Regards
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cleo
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06-04-2002, 8:57 PM
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I worked at one of these clubs in the Strip during college (until quite recently) and my two cents is that the bouncers aren't out to "GET" people and rough them up...what would that do. These guys, and the rest of the staff just want to close up at two so we can spend an hour or two cleaning up after the drunks, have a drink and go to bed. And when they do have to physically remove someone it's because they are being disrespectful to patrons or employees or are too drunk to function. Then, these people wonder why there are incidences outside of these clubs. Hey, if you punch someone in our bar it's our problem. But if we can get you out of the door and you go to blows on the street or sidewalk, that's your problem. That's when we sit back and laugh. Our job isn't to keep all of you safe, it's to keep our club safe. Act responsibly and this won't happen.
PS I didn't work at BAR
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Scooter73
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05-07-2002, 8:05 AM
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Wake up folks, most of the bouncers in the Strip District are off duty police officers. Do you honestly expext the on duty police to help you when you have an incident with the bouncers? What's up with these "after hours" clubs? Aren't there laws that regulate the closing time of bars. These "clubs" that skirt the law by giving you a temporary "membership" are a scam. The should be illegal and shut down at 2:00 am just like the rest of the bars. Anyone I have seen get roughe up by the bouncers is usually drunk and obnoxiuos and likely deserved a little "awakening". I'm not saying a beating, but getting roughed up a little. The bottom line is, IF THEY ASK YOU TO LEAVE, TURN AROUND AND GO. If you argue with them or resist in any way, they haven't been drinking and you are going to lose!
It's not much different than Rodney King or Jonny Gamage, it you comply, nothing happens. If you resist, anything goes. You are defying authority and what do you expect?
Take responsibility for your own actions.
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serafin4
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05-07-2002, 7:55 AM
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At the rate things are going, it might be a good idea to shut those after hours clubs down, since, naturally, the Strip District after dark will not likely ever be truly safe.
Best Regards James Patrick Thompson
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b842001
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06-23-2001, 9:03 AM
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HONESTLY? HOW CAN YOU FEEL SAFE?
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jlo7
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06-21-2001, 8:31 PM
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For the most part, the strip is pretty safe. Maybe they could add a few more cops, some additional lighting, and a better sidewalk.
Stx write your council person. That cop needs to use better judgement.
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Stix23
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06-21-2001, 11:49 AM
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I have to agree with Minn that after hours clubs are not the problem -- I have had a good time at them and do not feel any more safe or unsafe when I am there. Although the incident that was described by the girl who was thrown by the bouncer is an all-to-familiar one for young ladies who go to the strip. One night when I realized my friend was in a bar after it closed with staff - I wanted her out because I knew she had too much to drink - that's the code you watch out for your friends. When I pleaded with a cop to please get her out - he told me she was a big girl and could take care of herself instead of being worried about her safety as I was. To me that is scary coming from someone who is to protect and serve.
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Minn
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06-21-2001, 11:06 AM
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Pittsburgh needs to keep its after hour clubs. I live in Minneapolis and the bars close at 1 am. It doesn't stop violence here. People my age see cities without after hours as lame. I don't want this for Pittsburgh. One of my friends from here just visited Pittsburgh for the first time and fell in love with the clubs... the city. He was excited to see partying going on til' the wee hours. We have to keep up with other large cities to attract young people. Don't take a step back. It would be a large mistake. One more thing. I've been in the strip several times at night, and never have I feared for my safety.
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clmn25
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06-21-2001, 10:05 AM
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I was involved in a very upsetting situation last Friday outside of Donzi's when leaving the establishment. A group of drunk males were grabbing at one of my friends and she became upset. It turned into a fight, she shoved him, he threw her to the ground and I tried to help her, when I was thrown to the ground by a bouncer, causing me to sprain my knee. The police and bouncers witnessed the whole thing, and were threatening to arrest us! We left the situation, and while turning out of the parking lot we were pulled over, and given a ticket for "not stopping at a stop sign", which wasn't true at all! Needless to say, the guys who started with us didn't get into any trouble at all, and we, who were just trying to protect ourselves, were the ones who got in trouble. I think it is only safe for men down there. I am still hobbling around today, from the HUGE bouncer who tossed me to the ground! Not fair at ALL!!!
Concerned
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