PITTSBURGH, December 12, 2008 - In a letter to District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr., State Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) today called for the indefinite padlocking of Grandma’s Inn, a bar in Allegheny County that has been the site of two violent acts within a 24-hour period.
“What is paramount here is that we keep the citizens of Natrona safe,” Ferlo said. “In light of these heinous criminal acts, the best way to provide for the safety of residents is to close this establishment.”
In his letter to D.A. Zappala, Jr. requested that action be taken under Section 611 of the Pennsylvania Liquor code to padlock the establishment until a full investigation of the fatal shooting and stabbing, which happened within a 24-hour period, can be conducted.
“I am happy to support you and your staff in any way possible that will result in the closure of this establishment,” Ferlo stated in the letter. “It is my hope that this ill-fated series of events will warrant further investigation and examination of criminal elements associated with Grandma’s Inn.”
For the past three years, Ferlo has worked tirelessly with the Natrona Comes Together Association (NCTA), Harrison Township officials and community economic development staff for the rehabilitation and revitalization of Natrona, channeling over $500,000 of state funds to economic and recreational development in the area, but he said that the efforts will be for naught if establishments like Grandma’s Inn continue to jeopardize Natrona’s future.
“These investments into the community bode well for the future of Natrona,” Ferlo said. “However, if we cannot get the criminal element under control, our re-investment efforts will be undermined.”
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