Fighting fire with parking tickets

Cops bust scofflaw motorists; shooters run free

Pittsburgh police have responded to the recent spate of shootings on the North Side by handing out $92 parking tickets to motorists who deposit their automobiles on the wrong side of the street facing against traffic.

Last evening, the Street Response Unit, based in the Special Deployment Division in the West End descended on the Mexican War Streets in response to complaints stemming from gun violence. Apparently unable to find anyone responsible for the 15 incidents of gunfire in the North Side since May, the Street Response Unit decided to ticket illegally parked cars.

Cops were also out cracking down on the menace presented by parking scofflaws when it took Zone 1 officers more than two hours to respond to the mid-afternoon gunfire in front of the Manteca bar at 1410 Monterey St.

At least five cars were ticketed on Monterey Street yesterday.

Dish does not advocate illegal parking and Dish does not mind the city generating revenue from sources other than taxes. However, during a bit of a delicate period in the Mexican War Streets, perhaps local law enforcement's resources should be directed toward the imbeciles firing guns in the middle of a densely-populated residential neighborhood rather than residents who didn't feel like going around the block to park their cars in the proper direction. At the very least, police brass, you're creating quite the public
perception problem.

Also, cops, you may have noticed that more than a few of these shootings have happened around 3 p.m. That's when you change shifts, right? It seems the bad guys know this, so why don't you try to mix things up a bit.

Those interested in griping in person to the police are advised to attend this evening's Safe Streets meeting at 7 p.m., 1310 Arch St.

Other resources for getting the attention of those entrusted with preserving public safety include:

For general public safety issues:
Zone 1 Commander Catherine McNeilly:
catherine.mcneilly@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
Police Chief Nathan Harper: nathan.harper@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
City Council Member Tonya Payne - Telephone: 412-255-2134
Mayor¹s office 412-255-2626

For complaints concerning the Manteca bar at 1410 Monterey:
Nuisance Bar Hotline - 412-323-7777
PGH enforcement office of PA Liquor Control Board - 412-548-2050
Alegheny County Health Department 412-687-ACHD