It's Bob O'Connor's mantra: Get everybody in a room, sit down, work out a deal.

Yesterday, the new Pittsburgh mayor tried a different approach: Get everybody on a sidewalk, walk around, make a plan.

Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette Conferring during a walking tour of Garfield yesterday are, from left, Pittsburgh Police Cmdr. Linda Rosato-Barone; Mayor Bob O'Connor; Aggie Brose, deputy director of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corp.; Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.; and city Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle. Click photo for larger image.

In an event that was equal parts news conference, interagency meeting and very early campaign event, Mr. O'Connor led a gaggle of officials, police and news media representatives down Penn Avenue in Garfield, highlighting problems, giving orders, taking suggestions.

Told North Evaline Street was a drug market, he turned to city police Cmdr. Linda Rosato-Barone: "You going to get 'em tomorrow?" he asked, referring to the dealers, who weren't in evidence.

"We're going to get 'em tomorrow," the commander promised.

He huddled with Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., soliciting promises of manpower, wiretaps and grand jury investigations.

"I'm following the mayor's lead," Mr. Zappala said, adding that he was already deputizing city police so they can pursue investigations countywide.

Mr. O'Connor took suggestions from Aggie Brose, deputy director of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corp.

"For [police cars] to stop, and [the officer] walk makes a huge difference," she said.

The mayor issued the order: Cops will park and walk.

He came in part to show off the closure of the Horoscope Lounge, a trouble-plagued Penn Avenue bar padlocked on Friday thanks to pressure from community groups, the district attorney and the city.

On another level, he was displaying a style of governance that raised eyebrows of accompanying aides, council members, reporters and even the children, business owners and passersby he treated to his patented grip and grin.

By the end of an hour, he'd shown the city flag in a neighborhood that hasn't seen it too often, strengthened his partnership with the county prosecutor and given Cmdr. Rosato-Barone lots of homework.

She'll have to produce a weekly report, for instance, detailing the drug and gun arrests in her zone. All commanders will.

"Next Friday, I'll have my report," the mayor said.

And next month, he said, he'll be back in Garfield, checking the alleys for litter and dealers.

Ms. Brose was thrilled.

"I think the mayor is more than sincere," she said.

The guys hanging out in front of the barbershop were skeptical.

"You really can't stop [crime]," one said. "It just moves from one [neighborhood] to another."

That would warrant, presumably, another walking mayor meeting.