Communities Call For End To Pittsburgh Violence: Mayor, Police Chief To Unveil Plan
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The City of Pittsburgh is experiencing more and more shootings, many involving young suspects and victims.
Mayor Bill Peduto and Police Chief Cameron McLay say they will hold a press conference on Wednesday to talk about the recent surge in gun violence in the city, which included the shooting deaths of two teenagers, and a 2-year old.
McLay said Tuesday night that he would put the gun violence in "context and perspective."
So far this year, the city has recorded 41 homicides; there were 71 homicides in Pittsburgh in 2014.
McLay said "it can be a mistake to focus too much on places (where gun violence is occurring), because criminals are highly mobile." He said the fact they live in a particular neighborhood, does not necessarily mean that's where the problems are. McLay said "we need to work with the community, to learn who that tiny percentage of the population is, that's involved in criminal conduct."
Mayor Peduto says there's been a major restructuring in the police department that includes adding more resources in the homicide unit.
The "Black Political Empowerment Project" laid out concerns today, and called on the Mayor and police to step up.
After a rash of shootings in several communities, the community organization BPEP said enough is enough and called for a cooperative effort to stop the violence.
The organization was flanked by representatives of victim's organizations, elected officials, ministers, concerned parents, and mothers who have lost sons or daughters to violence.
BPEP says communities throughout the area are tired of the violence, shocked at the young victims being gunned down in the streets, and wants community partners to join forces to send a message that violence will no longer be tolerated.
"We call upon parents, grandparents, and relatives who have people in their families who they know or suspect might be involved in violence and or illegal activities, which may be putting their families and communities at risk, to at least try and direct their loved ones in another direction," Tim Stevens of BPEP said.
Several grass roots organizations came forward to talk about the services they are offering, but say a missing piece of the solutions lies with city hall.
"We need to have a conversation with the Mayor, which we are, and need to have a conversation with the Chief of Police, which we are, about policing," State Representative Ed Gainey said.
The Chief of Police and Mayor are expected to address the issue at a briefing on Wednesday.
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