Councilman protests South Side patrol cancellation
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Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus today sent a letter to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl complaining about the abrupt cancellation of special police details last week in the South Side entertainment district.
The city had saturated the neighborhood with police on recent weekends amid complaints from Mr. Kraus and residents about illegal parking, public urination and other problems connected with weekend revelers.
Mr. Kraus said he was pleased with the progress being made and stunned when the city canceled the operation with little explanation last weekend. Even stranger, he said, the cancellation was announced just hours after the city said the special patrols would continue.
With all the citations being written, Mr. Kraus said, he believes the special details were paying for themselves.
"I am mystified as to why a self-sustaining and successful operation that contributed to providing a safe and inviting environment for residents, law-abiding citizens and responsible business owners and their patrons would be summarily canceled," Mr. Kraus said in the letter, also addressed to Public Safety Director Michael Huss. He demanded a "full explanation for this course of action."
Police spokeswoman Diane Richard, repeating the explanation she gave last week, said the city's yearly pool of money for special details is dwindling. Some, she said, has to be kept in reserve for emergencies.
She also said police Chief Harper wants time to evaluate the impact of the patrols before deciding whether to renew them.
First Published November 10, 2010 11:25 am
