Pittsburgh leaders move to shut down Oddballs bar after fight
- A chaotic brawl occurred outside Oddballs bar in Pittsburgh, resulting in serious injuries to a police sergeant.
- City and county leaders, including District 3 councilperson Bob Charland, are advocating for the bar's closure due to ongoing violence.
- The bar owner claims he has invested significantly in security and argues that he is not solely responsible for the crime in the area.
A violent altercation erupted outside Oddballs bar in Pittsburgh over the weekend, leading to serious injuries for a police sergeant who attempted to intervene. Security footage captured the incident, which began with minor pushing inside the bar and escalated outside, resulting in the officer suffering a broken leg and ankle. This incident has raised significant concerns among local leaders regarding the safety of the establishment and its patrons. District 3 councilperson Bob Charland expressed outrage over the situation, emphasizing the need for accountability from the bar. He, along with other officials, is calling for the bar to be shut down, citing a pattern of disruptive behavior that endangers public safety. The councilperson's comments reflect a growing frustration with the bar's management and the environment it fosters. In response to the mounting pressure, the bar owner, Miklos, stated that he has invested over $500,000 in security measures over the past four and a half years. He argues that rebranding the bar would not address the broader issues of crime in the South Side and insists that he is not the root cause of the violence. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday involving the bar owners, the district attorney, and various city and state agencies to discuss the future of Oddballs and potential actions to mitigate the ongoing violence in the area.