'One of the Good Guys': Public Rallies Behind Seriously Injured Pittsburgh Police Officer

By Laura Esposito

Source Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Owners and employees at a South Side barbershop are rallying behind a Pittsburgh police officer who was seriously injured steps away from the storefront.

Sgt. Andrew Robinson, a Zone 3 officer, was left with several broken bones in his leg and foot earlier this month after he attempted to break up a fight that started inside Oddballs Bar and continued onto East Carson Street. He faces multiple surgical procedures and a recovery period of up to 12 months.

The incident was captured by surveillance cameras positioned in the doorway of South Side Barbershop, according to J.C. Caputo, the co-owner.

Mr. Caputo, 51, said it was evident from the footage that Sgt. Robinson suffered severe injuries. And although he doesn't personally know the officer, he said his positive influence on the South Side precedes him.

"He's one of the good guys," Mr. Caputo said. "And now he's going to have these injuries for the rest of his life and it happened right in my doorway. I needed to do something."

So on Friday morning — the busiest day at the barber shop — Mr. Caputo placed a small sign outside of his storefront that read, "All proceeds benefit Sgt. Andrew Robinson."

Before long, a line of patrons started to snake itself around the block; by day's end, nearly $3,000 was raised, far surpassing Mr. Caputo's expectations. Some customers handed Mr. Caputo hundreds of dollars worth of checks and cash for a single haircut, he said.

Since then, patrons have continued to arrive with gifts and cash.

Sgt. Robinson said Tuesday afternoon that he had received an "overwhelming" amount of support from South Side stakeholders. Among dozens of phone calls and text messages, he has received dinners, donations from several businesses and more.

"The South Side residents are a tight-knit community, many of which who have been there for decades," he said. "To see them and the businesses come together and support an injured officer is something special."

Peter Margittai, president of the South Side Chamber of Commerce, said Sgt. Robinson fostered the South Side's closeness.

"This is the culture that's been created, this is the expectation that's been set," he said. "[Sgt. Robinson] has the support of the community."

After the incident, Oddballs — on the 1500 block of East Carson Street — permanently shut its doors, District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said last week.

In connection with the incident, Jonathan Morin, 23, was charged with felony aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 18.

Sgt. Robinson heads the South Side Entertainment Patrol, a special patrol that allocated more officers to East Carson Street and emphasizes high-visibility and enforcement policing. He is revered in the community for his prioritization of community policing — a collaboration between police and the community to address public safety issues proactively.

According to police data, officers have responded to two dozen calls for shots fired since the entertainment patrol was created — nearly half the 44 total calls answered the year before.

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