Topic
County Council
Seventy people signed up to speak at Allegheny County Council's Feb. 24 meeting. As it began, nine of 15 members voted to cut each speaker's time from three minutes to 90 seconds. Comments were overwhelmingly against county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. So far, council hasn't said whether it'll do the same on March 10.
City Council
ShotSpotter sensors alert Pittsburgh police to gunfire without waiting for a 911 call. Council is still weighing whether to renew the $1.2 million yearly contract. A city audit found ShotSpotter got police to possible gunfire about five minutes faster than 911 calls. Still, critics say the system leads to over-policing in marginalized areas.
City Council
Carnegie Mellon has offered to cover a $200,000 match the city lacks for a federal street safety grant. That brings the Safe Streets and Roads for All project to $400,000. Still, a council member wondered whether one large contribution from nonprofits that don't pay city taxes would be more efficient. Council voted to keep moving toward accepting the money.
Forward Township
Forward approved an increase to its existing police contract with Elizabeth Township during a contentious Feb. 9 meeting that drew a packed audience of residents.
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
For seven years, Pittsburgh police have paid for cell phone surveillance software. On Feb. 12, a council member flagged a $2,754 invoice for the software, called CellHawk. She said the administration told her police request data only with a search warrant. So far, the contract doesn't appear to be publicly available.
City Council
The city is adding snow removal vehicles after 37 plows broke down in one night. On Feb. 4, council gave preliminary approval to a $2 million PNC Foundation gift covering 15 of them. With other funds and retrofitted trucks, the city will have 70 snow vehicles. The mayor's chief of staff said they won't be ready this winter, though they should arrive by next winter.
City Council
Pittsburgh's EMS fleet is in line for $10 million from UPMC and a $1 million state grant. Next week, council plans a final vote to accept the money. Chief of Staff Dan Gilman estimated the city can buy eight or nine more ambulances and a rescue unit. Still, he said the one-time gift is separate from talks on longer-term partnerships.
City Council
On Jan. 28, acting police chief Jason Lando told council the city won't assist federal immigration enforcement. He spoke under oath in a four-hour interview, as council moves toward installing a new chief. He committed to working with leaders, the city's attorney, and affected residents on a plan. Lando also wants to bring in an in-house clinician for officer mental health.
County Council
Allegheny County serves residents regardless of immigration status, but that practice isn't written into county law. Six county council members have now proposed an ordinance to codify it. It would also bar county police and workers from helping federal immigration agents without a federal court order. For now, the bill has gone to the public safety committee.
City Council
When ambulances and snowplows sit in the shop, residents' safety suffers, city officials have warned. Now a council member has proposed a vehicle fund, with a goal of at least $20 million a year from 2027. The aim is to keep 70% of the fleet young enough that major repairs aren't expected. But council has held the bill for four weeks.
City Council
Rape crisis centers across Pennsylvania have gone six years without a state funding increase. Now, City Council has called on the legislature to raise funding for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and centers statewide. PAAR served nearly 2,500 people in the past year, about 15% of them children, council's request said. About 20% of its funding comes from the state, the Tribune-Review reported.
City Council
Council has to approve the mayor's pick for police chief, plus eight of his other appointments. That pick is Jason Lando, a former Pittsburgh officer who now leads police in Frederick, Maryland. Other appointees who need council's OK include the city solicitor. Lando is scheduled to meet with council on Jan. 28.
County Council
Back in 2021, voters approved limits on solitary confinement and some uses of force at the county jail. A jail employees' union argued the limits should be subject to bargaining. A labor board and two lower courts ruled against it, so the union has appealed to the state Supreme Court. This week, county council voted to have its solicitor decide whether to file a brief.
City Council
Next year's city budget adds $10 million for vehicles and equipment and $8 million for EMS and fire overtime. Council passed it at $693.2 million, about $15 million more than the mayor proposed. Still, it stays open five weeks after the new mayor is sworn in. Council expects to revisit it with the new administration after Jan. 5.
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
The Stop the Violence Fund drew scrutiny earlier this year for its $15 million balance. On Dec. 16, council's president proposed cutting the city's 2026 contribution in half, sending $4 million to the city's vehicle fleet. He said there'd still be enough money to continue all services. Contributions would resume with the 2027 budget.
County Council
About 20 people died in Allegheny County Jail custody from 2020 to 2025, TribLive reported. Now, county council has unanimously passed legislation requiring the medical examiner to prioritize investigating those deaths. Reports must reach the warden, the Jail Oversight Board, and the county manager within three business days of completion. Still, it doesn't address public access to autopsy reports.
City Council
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust wants the city to give it part of 8th Street for an outdoor venue. A council member raised concerns about giving up public riverfront property and suggested a lease instead. For now, council didn't send the bill to a vote. Members want to explore options such as an extended lease and ensuring public passage.
City Council
The city needs $400,000 to cover six months of vehicle repairs it didn't expect. It can't do the repairs in-house because the vehicles are modified for Pittsburgh's narrow roads and terrain. Council has placed the request on its legislative agenda. A fleet manager said expected savings on fuel and fees will cover the cost.