Nearly three weeks after a highly disruptive compliance check by law enforcement shook the community at P Town Bar, an LGBTQ+ venue in Pittsburgh, local leaders and residents convened inside the same space for a raw and urgent community conversation. Organized by State Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, the sometimes contentious May 22 town hall invited open dialogue between LGBTQ+ residents, the bar, and City and State officials, including Acting Chief of Police Martin Devine, Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt, State Representatives Jessica Benham and Dan Deasy.
Rep. Mayes opened the meeting by acknowledging the trauma caused by the raid, which took place during a queer event on May 3. “We are here to address safety on all fronts, whether that’s occupancy or our feelings of safety,” she said. “It is important that even in the trauma we may feel, we also want to remember the joy we need to continue to have.”
Mayes was clear that the size of the police response, reportedly 14 to 19 officers, did not feel benign to those affected. “No, we do not feel safe with 15 police officers outside,” she said, adding that the historic tension between law enforcement and LGBTQ+ communities, particularly queer and trans people of color, cannot be ignored. “That level of response, it is a trauma-triggering thing, and it does change how we feel about the spaces that are supposed to be for us.”
Acting Pittsburgh Police Chief Devine, who has overseen compliance checks in various roles for over a decade, explained that the May 3 check was prompted by an emailed complaint to the fire marshal regarding overcrowding. “The concern with occupancy is a safety issue,” he said. “We were unable to contact the bar in advance, and unfortunately, that led to patrons being cleared out temporarily.”
Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt admitted that no direct contact with the bar owner was made prior to the raid. “The fire marshal did receive the complaint the Friday before,” he confirmed. “There was an attempt to stop by and to call, but no contact was made, and there was no written follow-up left with the bar.” Schmidt called the situation a “process failure,” stating, “The only thing I can say is we messed this up.”
Chief Devine and Director Schmidt acknowledged that P Town was not classified as a “nuisance bar,” nor had it received any prior violations or criminal complaints.
The bar was found over capacity, approximately 130 patrons in a space currently permitted for 70, but as Adrianna Branin, the City’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access manager, explained, that discrepancy stemmed from outdated permitting and unclear renovation history with a previous owner.
Throughout the town hall, community members emphasized that the experience was about more than a violation of outdated occupancy, it was about how queer spaces are policed and perceived. “Impact matters more than procedure. The fear that people feel, that’s what really matters,” said Rep. Jessica Benham.
Officials responded with commitments to structural change. Schmidt noted that the City would develop new protocols outlining how compliance checks are triggered and what constitutes an appropriate response. Rep. Deasy, as chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, suggested that the State explore adding an emergency contact requirement to liquor license renewals to ensure bar owners can be reached in advance. Improvements to the occupancy permitting process were also discussed, particularly the need to digitize outdated records, many of which still exist only on paper, and proactively contact venues that may be unaware of outdated capacity limits. Additionally, a new public dashboard will be created to track compliance checks across all venues in the city, aiming to increase transparency and prevent the appearance of selective enforcement.
Rep. Deasy added that better communication and cultural competency are crucial. “Maybe we need to do a better job as we do those renewals, to make sure the contact information is correct. A phone call could have saved a lot of aggravation,” Deasy said.
As the meeting concluded, Rep. Mayes emphasized that the goal is not just resolution but transformation.
The conversation will continue on June 3 at 1Hood’s space on Melwood Avenue for a follow-up event. Community members, city leaders, and LGBTQ+ organizers are expected to dig deeper into issues of safety, equity, and accountability.
“I’m okay with conflict,” Mayes said. “If it means we’re going to win greater justice, then we’re doing the work we need to do.”
