Pittsburgh-area bar put on notice for alleged violation of coronavirus restrictions

A Pittsburgh-area bar was among three licensed liquor establishments in Pennsylvania to receive a notice from the state police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for violation of covid-19 mitigation efforts.

It was the first formal notice a Pittsburgh-area establishment has received from state police since July 1. State police would not identify the establishment.

The Pittsburgh enforcement office oversees establishments in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

Officers from Liquor Control Enforcement visited 1,244 establishments across the state Monday and Tuesday. The officers issued three notices and 25 warnings.

According to the data, 285 license checks were performed in the Pittsburgh area, resulting in six warnings — the highest number for any of the state’s nine enforcement areas. The Philadelphia area followed, with 4 warnings out of 207 license checks this week.

A notice of violation precedes a citation, according to a news release. The investigation of the Pittsburgh-area bar that received a notice remains open.

Warnings differ from notices. State police spokesman Ryan Tarkowski described them as the “first tool in the tool kit.” Especially with the volume of new information and misinformation surrounding covid-19, Tarkowski said police hope to encourage the mitigation standards without disciplinary actions.

“If we solve the issue with a conversation, that’s always going to be preferable,” he said.

Since July 1, the Pittsburgh area has received the most warnings of any area in the state with 105, according to state data.

Tarkowski said Pittsburgh’s high count of warnings is likely explained by population density in the area.

“In general I can say, in Pittsburgh and throughout the state, the overall majority of licensees are trying to do the right thing,” Tarkowski said.

State and local officials have cracked down on bars and restaurants in recent weeks to enforce restrictions related to covid-19. The Allegheny County Health Department launched a new field response team two weeks ago to look in on establishments, starting with those that the county had received specific complaints about. Last week, Health Director Debra Bogen said the vast majority of bars and restaurants in the county are following the guidelines.