In Just 4: Pittsburgh Mayor on Police Policy, Public Contribution, Downtown Public Safety, Protecting Gender-Affirming Health Care

PITTSBURG –

In a one-on-one interview with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, Mayor Ed Gainey discussed police policy, public opinion, downtown public safety and legislation to make Pittsburgh a “sanctuary city” for gender-affirming care. .

Gainey says his directive for Chief Larry Scirotto to form a group to get community advice on police policy comes from something he had been talking about for some time, even before the chief was hired.

“Bringing together this committee of people who are from the neighborhoods, activists and other people, from the business community, to talk not from a disciplinary point of view, but about a policy of use of force with regard to changing the rules to guarantee the use of force. force policy we have today are suited to this environment. If not, how can we change them to be better suited to building stronger relationships with the law enforcement community? said Gainey.

The mayor and police chief revealed the plans to the committee at the same time the chief announced that an internal review had concluded that the use of force by police in a recent downtown drug arrest was justified. The discovery announcement sparked a protest in front of the City-County building a few hours on Friday.

The chief told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on Wednesday that representatives from various organizations that have criticized the decision to use force will be invited to join the chief’s advisory group.

The mayor said: “We always work with them. Yesterday we had an activist meeting with several of them who were at the table. We understand that sometimes there will be disagreements, but our job is to try to build as many bridges as possible and ensure that we can bring as much understanding as possible. So we continue to meet with the activist community. We will likely expand that by bringing in more people from the neighborhoods. That’s what this committee is about.”

Gainey said the chief’s ruling on the use of force incident does not close the door on the policy conversation.

“Correct, absolutely. Moving forward, that’s why we’re putting this together, so there can be an ongoing dialogue about how we can improve. The only way we can build it, make it better, is if we continue to communicate and talk about We don’t want any police brutality. That’s not what we’re aiming for,” Gainey said.

Asked about the current state of downtown Pittsburgh, Gainey said he believes it is improving.

“We’re not quite there yet, but have we improved on last year? It’s been a dramatic difference. And what has made that difference? Let’s talk about it. The increased police presence in the city center has made a significant difference. The fact that ‘ Cleaning three days a week made a significant difference,” Gainey said.

The mayor has expressed support for bills moving through the city council that would make Pittsburgh a sanctuary city for gender-affirming healthcare. They would protect local providers, visiting patients and guardians from out-of-state prosecutors attacking health care that is legal in Pittsburgh.

“If you come here, you’ll be protected. Your health care will be available. Your medical providers will be available. Everything you need will be available because we want you to feel welcome here. And we want you to know that we’re here for you. side and we’re going to fight for you,” Gainey said.