Jul 14, 2008 9:53 pm US/Eastern
Leaders Confident In Safety At The Waterfront
WEST HOMESTEAD (KDKA) ―
Local leaders want the developer at the Waterfront to provide more security after a restaurant worker was killed during a robbery.
Brian Lee, 19, a kitchen worker for Damon's Grill, was fatally shot when a gunman confronted him at the back door of the restaurant early Sunday morning.
It was the second murder at the Waterfront in two weeks.
Three police departments patrol the development and claim there are generally three officers are there at any given time.
"We're here. I've offered and I put out there and I'll put it out now," Homestead Police Chief Jeff DeSimone said. "You know what, if you're closing and you have some concerns, call us."
Police will escort anyone who works at the Waterfront to their cars, but they promise it's safe there.
"It's a tragedy, but this is no reflection on the Waterfront, it's no reflection on Damon's and it's no reflection on Homestead, Munhall, West Homestead, it's a great place to be," DeSimone said.
Local police will meet with the developers in the next few days and ask them for more cops on bikes and to install security cameras at entrances and exits.
Until then, local leaders promise it's safe.
"I think it's as safe as my home I can tell you that right now," Homestead Mayor Betty Esper said.
Police are convinced that two murders in two weeks are a fluke and hope shoppers agree.
Every year, about 8.1 million people visit the Waterfront and about 40,000 cars come each day.
Police say when you put those numbers in perspective, the crime rate is extremely low.
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