Thirteen new surveillance cameras are keeping watch on the South Side as part of an effort to curb nuisances and violent crime, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. announced Thursday.
The cameras, installed along East Carson Street, are part of a growing network of 220 cameras installed in 50 locations across the county by Mr. Zappala and the Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first disclosed the installation of the cameras in a story Wednesday night.
Mr. Zappala agreed to install the cameras after listening to concerns from area business owners, he said. He made the announcement at Cupka’s II at 2314 E. Carson St.
The South Side has seen a number of high-profile crimes in the last few months, including a fatal shooting inside the former Rowdy Buck bar at 1321 E. Carson St. in May.
A 23-year-old West Mifflin man, Kolbrin Holyfield, was charged with homicide in that case, after an anonymous tipster recognized Mr. Holyfield in video surveillance footage from the bar.
Also that month, a Pittsburgh police officer violently arrested a man outside The Flats bar at 1500 East Carson St.; an investigation into the officer’s actions is ongoing. Earlier this year, four bikers were arrested in an assault outside a bar in April; and Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter clashed with a police officer in January.
The cameras are funded by a mix of private and public money from across the county, Mr. Zappala said. His office has contributed $85,000, local businesses have given $100,000, grants have provided $200,000 and municipalities have given $100,000, according to a release from his office.
The cameras are able to stream live video to mobile devices at various locations, and also record footage, officials said. The recordings are stored for 30 days in most instances.
The cameras will not be monitored live, Mr. Zappala said.
“It will be reactionary,” he said.
The cameras are concentrated along E. Carson Street between S. 17th and S. 14th streets.
In April, Mr. Zappala announced 25 new cameras in Monroeville, which is part of the same effort he’s continuing on the South Side.
Shelly Bradbury: sbradbury@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1999 or on Twitter @ShellyBradbury.
First Published: September 14, 2017, 3:42 p.m.