The legislation, sponsored by Councilmen Ricky Burgess and
R. Daniel Lavelle, is supported by other council members and Mayor Bill Peduto,
who is expected to sign the bills, according to Peduto’s spokesman, Tim
McNulty.
They are highlighted by formation of a Stop the Violence Fund that will enact a police hiring
freeze and redirect $250,000 remaining in a budget for new recruits to programs
aimed at reducing crime and violence.
Redirect money, not defund
The city can’t defund the police, as some activists have
called for, Burgess said. But it can stop hiring new police officers and
redirect that money toward alternative programs that help people.
“This money is simply the first step. It is a good-faith
effort to say we believe in programming,” Burgess said.
Council also approved a ban on use of chokeholds by police and a ban on buying
surplus military equipment for police use without council’s approval.
Another bill that was passed requires sworn police officers
to have a “duty to intervene” when faced with a situation within city limits
that doesn’t put them at risk of bodily harm.
The move is an attempt to prevent incident similar to the
Minneapolis case, where three police officers watched as Officer Derek Chauvin
knelt on George Floyd’s neck until he died.
“Black lives actually matter, and we as a council now have a
chance to prove it, in Pittsburgh,” Burgess said. “That is to protect the
health and safety of Black people.”
The moves come as the police bureau was in the process of
strengthening its policies, public safety spokeswoman Cara Cruz said.
“We have met with Council members and respect their
recommendations,” Cruz said.
The reduction in funds for police recruits will hamper the
department’s ability to build a diverse department, she said.
“We will work with city officials and council to ensure
funding is available in the future to recruit new officers who represent the
community they will serve and who are willing to make a difference,” Cruz said.
“We will look forward to working together in the future.”
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