City Police Announce New Plan To Combat Violent Crime
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh Police and city officials announced a new plan that they hope will help to curb violent crime.
Pittsburgh Police have implemented some changes that Mayor Bill Peduto said will allow law enforcement to go on the offense.
"For so many years we've been playing defense, you've given us a new tool to play offense," said Peduto.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay said the ultimate goal is to reduce crime.
In the first six months of 2015, there were 20 homicides. While that number is down from the five-year average, McLay admits there is much more work to be done.
He says that data shows there are more crimes in Pittsburgh than criminals.
"There is a very small sub-component of our community that are driving the violence," said McLay. "We know what that looks like, we know who they are, members of the community know who they are. Now, were moving toward working more closely together."
It's hoped that continued cooperation between police and the community will put violent offenders on notice.
"Violence will be no longer tolerated in our community," said Commander Larry Scirotto, of Pittsburgh Police. "You must stop. We want to keep you alive, we want to keep you safe, we want to keep you out of jail."
At news conference Tuesday, McLay announced the formation of the Violent Crime Unit, which will include 32 detectives investigating homicides, robberies and assaults.
"The current homicide unit is staffed with 17 detectives, that will change to 32, so a dramatic increase within that unit," said Scirotto. "They will handle all homicides, all robberies that are business and bank-related and all aggravated assaults."
Police are also streamlining operations between the six zones in effort to better coordinate investigations and resources when crimes occur.
"We know were in this together; this is a team effort," said Pittsburgh Police Assistant Chief Scott Schubert. "This isn't just the zone, we understand that everything, even though it's in Zone One, it's all of us. We're Pittsburgh Police."
According to McLay, statistics show the victims and offenders are mostly young, African-American males.
McLay said the bureau has to work to gain the trust of the community and is asking the community for better cooperation.
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