Local Leaders Working To Improve Community-Police Relations With Gatherings
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- With violence exploding in other cities across the United States, local leaders are working to keep everyone safe and improve police-community relations.
Ministers from the city's Hill District, police officers and members of the community gathered this past weekend for prayer and healing.
It's the kind of coming together that local leaders believe will help keep the Pittsburgh area calm while other cities are exploding in violence.
"It's really about all of us working together, maybe setting aside differences from the past and figuring out how we can move forward," said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
Pittsburgh Police will now have fewer cars with single officers, doubling up officers as a safety precaution, while Allegheny County Police will serve in more of a supporting role when and if needed.
"Safety precautions have been in effect now for a while," said Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. "This is a reminder to our officers to be safe and to basically take care of themselves and to take care of each other. It's a very trying time."
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In spite of the doubling up of officers, the city will be sending some officers to Cleveland this week for back up during the Republican National Convention.
But city leaders believe the best way to keep the peace is through community gatherings.
"We've got to build relationships. We've got to look at each other as human beings all the way across," said Rev. Darryl Canady, of Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church.
