The city of Pittsburgh launched its “City in the Streets” program Wednesday night in the city’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood.The summer series of block party-style events was created to take city government to Pittsburghers, allowing them to ask questions and get to know city leaders.“One of the things I heard when I was running was, ‘The government never comes to the neighborhoods. Government never comes out,’” Mayor Ed Gainey said.It was held less than a mile away from Oliver Citywide Academy, where a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed Wednesday morning.City officials said Marshall-Shadeland was chosen for the first “City in the Streets” based on 311 call data.“You can get together as a neighborhood, as one, and enjoy one another, and also be able to sell your products and feel safe,” Debra’s Heavenly Delight’s owner, Debra Hall said.”We voice our opinion. I’m not saying that they’re not being heard. You have to give everybody a chance to be heard,” Nacole Beard said.Mayor Gainey addressed the shooting of 15-year-old Derrick Harris.“It pains me to see a child shoot a child,” Gainey said. “What is a kid, 15 years old doing with a gun?”Gainey said violent crimes are down in the city, but a culture of violence, fueled by guns still exists.Police Chief Larry Scirotto said teens are turning to guns to resolve conflict.“We have to create an environment of safety, so they don’t feel the need to carry firearms to keep themselves safe,” Scirotto said. “That’s part of the violent crime strategy.”Gainey continues to push for the ability to sue gun manufacturers and suppliers and for cities to be able to make their own gun laws.“We’re the ones that deal with that violence on a daily basis. We are the ones that see the trauma that comes from these firearms, and yet we don’t have the ability to control the regulations throughout our city. So I understand the sentiment behind it. I understand the desire to do it, but I also understand the obstacles that exist to create local ordinances that supersede state law,” Scirotto said.Gainey also stressed the positive things happening in this city to engage teens and give them opportunities that aim to keep them from gun violence.The “City in the Streets” series will continue throughout the summer.
The city of Pittsburgh launched its “City in the Streets” program Wednesday night in the city’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood.
The summer series of block party-style events was created to take city government to Pittsburghers, allowing them to ask questions and get to know city leaders.
“One of the things I heard when I was running was, ‘The government never comes to the neighborhoods. Government never comes out,’” Mayor Ed Gainey said.
It was held less than a mile away from Oliver Citywide Academy, where a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed Wednesday morning.
City officials said Marshall-Shadeland was chosen for the first “City in the Streets” based on 311 call data.
“You can get together as a neighborhood, as one, and enjoy one another, and also be able to sell your products and feel safe,” Debra’s Heavenly Delight’s owner, Debra Hall said.
“We voice our opinion. I’m not saying that they’re not being heard. You have to give everybody a chance to be heard,” Nacole Beard said.
Mayor Gainey addressed the shooting of 15-year-old Derrick Harris.
“It pains me to see a child shoot a child,” Gainey said. “What is a kid, 15 years old doing with a gun?”
Gainey said violent crimes are down in the city, but a culture of violence, fueled by guns still exists.
Police Chief Larry Scirotto said teens are turning to guns to resolve conflict.
“We have to create an environment of safety, so they don’t feel the need to carry firearms to keep themselves safe,” Scirotto said. “That’s part of the violent crime strategy.”
Gainey continues to push for the ability to sue gun manufacturers and suppliers and for cities to be able to make their own gun laws.
“We’re the ones that deal with that violence on a daily basis. We are the ones that see the trauma that comes from these firearms, and yet we don’t have the ability to control the regulations throughout our city. So I understand the sentiment behind it. I understand the desire to do it, but I also understand the obstacles that exist to create local ordinances that supersede state law,” Scirotto said.
Gainey also stressed the positive things happening in this city to engage teens and give them opportunities that aim to keep them from gun violence.
The “City in the Streets” series will continue throughout the summer.