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Councilman Burgess introduces 2 public safety bills in Pittsburgh City Council
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Pittsburgh Councilman Ricky Burgess today introduced two public safety bills -- one that would require the Police Bureau to publish its policies and another to install a gunshot detection system in his district.
Mr. Burgess said publishing the police department's policies would go a long way toward increasing confidence in the community. If the public is aware of the way police officers should be functioning, they will know what to expect, he said.
It is particularly important in his East End district because of "constant violence" in the neighborhoods, he said.
That is also why he introduced a bill to install a system that would identify the location of any gunshots in his district.
That system, known as ShotSpotter, would cost $150,000 to install and $120,000 to operate each year.
Mr. Burgess said the bills are part of his continuing effort to increase public safety. He previously sponsored legislation to provide domestic violence response training.
"I think we should hold public safety accountable on the one side but also provide them with the proper equipment so they can do their jobs better," Mr. Burgess said.
First Published February 12, 2013 1:39 pm
