Issue
Safe Passage, group violence intervention, and county prevention dollars aimed at youth and neighborhoods.
City Council
Student ambassadors in six Pittsburgh public high schools work to interrupt violence, but the program's state grant has ended. On July 1, council agreed to move forward with a $250,000 deal to keep it going this fall. The council president said that should cover about six months. Still, the school district hasn't authorized money to continue it.
County Council
Allegheny County shares homicide numbers with the public, but it doesn't publish data on non-fatal shootings. Its dashboard shows homicides fell almost 60% from 2024 to 2025. Council has now passed a resolution urging the state to put at least $80 million into violence prevention. It credits the state's program in part for fewer shootings and homicides.
City Council
Group violence intervention tries to curb gun violence by focusing on the people most at risk. Now the city's public safety director wants council to approve a three-year, $300,000 deal with Homewood's Operation Better Block. The group provides technology for the program, like tracking outreach work and potential hot spots. Council is set to take it up March 11.
County Council
In her Feb. 10 address to council, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato reported progress on snow clearing, public safety, and housing. She said homicides fell last year to the lowest level since electronic records began, crediting violence interruption teams. Her Feb. 5 executive order introduced a Housing Investment Fund. Her goal is $50 million to $100 million in public and private money for affordable housing.
City Council
A change this year to the Stop the Violence Fund created anchor organizations, one per police zone. Now, council has approved the first five, with agreements totaling about $2.6 million over three years. A city official said they'll support smaller groups and teach families to handle conflict. However, no suitable proposal came in for Zone 1, so that request will reopen.
City Council
Through Safe Passage, some Pittsburgh Public Schools students train to interrupt violence in and out of school. On May 14, council heard from students and adults about its results. A public safety official reported discipline events down 27% and no homicides among 13- to 17-year-olds in 2024. Piloted at Perry High School in 2021, it's now in seven schools.