Staff file photo / Ed Runyan Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown talks to reporters in July about recent killings and how the Youngstown Police Department is trying to combat violence involving drinking establishments. At left is police Capt. Brian Butler. Approximately 50 downtown business owners, landlords and others gathered Sunday to discuss ways to solve the crime problem in the city, especially downtown.

YOUNGSTOWN — Vagrancy, drunkenness, fights and other problems in the downtown corridor extend beyond a single recently closed establishment and underscore the need for additional measures to be taken, a downtown restaurant owner and longtime attorney contends.

“I feel the problems are greater than The Social,” said Gregg Rossi, who owns Prima Cucina, an Italian restaurant.

He was referring to the bar and restaurant in Erie Terminal Place that was ordered closed late last month after city officials filed a complaint stating that on many occasions since early February, numerous complaints had been received regarding illegal activity there — especially gun and drug activity.

Daniel Fahd, The Social’s owner, has denied the allegations.

Rossi was among the estimated 50 downtown business owners, landlords and others who made their concerns and suggestions for tackling such problems known during a one-hour downtown landlord meeting Sunday afternoon at OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, 11 W. Federal St.

The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II, pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Youngstown, acted as facilitator.

Rossi said other common problems he sees include beggars and homeless people interfering with customers who dine outdoors, as well as people who drive through the area in cars and on all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles blaring their music.

“We have a behavior problem and if you let it go unchecked, it will get worse,” he added.

The meeting, which marked the beginning of dialogue between business owners and city officials to address the problems, came about largely because of apparent gunshots having been fired in August near Commerce Street.

Police Chief Carl Davis played video footage from an officer’s body camera that showed authorities trying to restore order while redirecting and, in some cases, arresting several people who were unruly and uncooperative. Fights also occurred.

A potential big problem with such activity downtown is that it diverts important law enforcement resources from other parts of the city, leaving those areas largely “uncovered,” Davis noted.

“We can’t have that,” the chief said.

Davis said he wanted those at the session to see what police had to deal with on many weekends before the city took action. Since then, the area around The Social has been largely peaceful, he added.

Other problems in the corridor have included underage drinking, rowdiness and loitering, Davis continued.

Law Director Jeff Limbian contended that many problems in The Social tended to spill out onto the street, and “all anarchy would absolutely reign.” Nevertheless, solid evidence must be presented before anyone can be prosecuted, he reminded attendees.

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown told those in attendance that landlords are ultimately responsible for what occurs in their buildings. He suggested they act more vigilantly to ascertain what is going on and act accordingly.

Much investment has been made to better the quality of life, business climate and other aspects of the downtown to allow “outside influencers” to ruin it by causing problems and making some people fearful of visiting the city, Brown said.

Reliable security cameras, better lighting and improved overall security are three methods for tackling crime, the mayor continued.

Ideas several business owners put forth to make the area safer included implementing a zero-tolerance policy regarding threats to safety, preventing overcrowding in business establishments, regulating businesses abiding by the city’s liquor laws and improved lighting along Federal Street and other poorly lit areas. Others were ensuring people in the corridor are aware that their activities are being recorded, establishing a greater police presence in the entertainment district and applying for grants to have more high-tech cameras with greater range.