PITTSBURGH -- As the South Side gets ready to host Pittsburgh's big Independence Day bash, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said significant headway has been made toward cracking down on rowdy late-night behavior in the neighborhood.

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Bar business up and down East Carson Street is always booming on weekends -- but this week, it could be even hotter on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

With July Fourth falling in the middle of the week, and Station Square hosting the city's annual fireworks show and regatta, thousands of people and cars will be jamming the streets of the South Side.

On Tuesday, Ravenstahl asked visitors to have fun but treat the neighborhood with respect -- and to make sure that happens, he said police will increase enforcement in the area over the holiday.

"There certainly will be increased traffic," Ravenstahl said. "There will be jams. We ask people to be patient."

In March, WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partners at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that nearly 400 hit-and-run car accidents were reported on the South Side last year -- more than any other city neighborhood.

Also, Ravenstahl attended a public meeting where residents aired their gripes on everything from public drunkenness to threats of bodily harm by the late-night South Side party crowds.

Since then, Ravenstahl said 10 weeks of South Side "enforcement blitzes" by city authorities have resulted in $200,000 in tickets being written.

He also said police officers, building inspectors and the state Liquor Control Board are coming down hard on bars that have music and entertainment without permits.

"Progress has been made," said Hugh Brannan of the South Side Planning Forum. "Enforcement efforts have been beefed up. Operation Sweep has made a difference."

The mayor credited Duquesne University for its judicial affairs system that holds students accountable if they receive a police citation for off-campus activity, and he said the city would attempt to establish similar processes at other universities.

"We are committed to improving the quality of life for South Side residents, and have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time, but this is just the tip of the iceberg and we are just getting started," said Ravenstahl.

"I've seen a lot of change over the years," said South Side resident Kathy Slocky. "I think it's the influx of the college students. I've seen improvements. There's room for a lot more. But the community is coming together and getting something done."

City Councilman Jeff Koch, whose district includes the South Side, has been seeking an ordinance to prevent new liquor licenses from being issued to establishments within 150 feet of existing bars. So far, his attempts have not been successful.

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