The Allegheny County District Attorney's office and representatives from McDonald's reached an agreement in principle today to increase security and surveillance at three Downtown restaurants.

District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said the agreement has not been finalized and he could not give further details.

McDonald's franchises have agreed to pay for the changes, which came after Mr. Zappala announced Monday that drug-dealing charges had been filed against an employee at the Smithfield Street location and that the DA's office was prepared to file a civil complaint to shut the three restaurants down because of frequent drug activity.

DA's office spokesman Mike Manko said this is the first time a district attorney or state's attorney has threatened to shut down a nuisance McDonald's in the United States.