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Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime
Under PIRC, the City, County, State and Federal Governments are organized with social services organizations and your community in a new way to use all available laws and resources to stop the killings. Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime (PIRC) is a homicide deterrence strategy brought to Pittsburgh by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and City Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess. It is intended to reduce gang/group related homicides in the City of Pittsburgh. It is based on the Ceasefire Model developed by Professor David Kennedy of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Implementation and outcomes research is being provided by the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. PIRC works by organizing law enforcement, social service delivery agencies and broad-based community voices to speak directly to the offending population at call-in sessions. The message is this:
After the message is delivered, if another homicide occurs, the entire gang or group is removed from the streets and quickly prosecuted. After these actions take place, another call-in session is held. Any gang group member desiring assistance to transition from street life to an employment based lifestyle can call the PIRC Service Line at 412-255-2374. Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc., is/will be coordinating the delivery of services for PIRC. PIRC Responses (February and March 2012) - New!
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police initiated several response to recent homicides in the east end and southside. Pittsburgh Police were joined by Allegheny County Adult and Juvenile Probation in these efforts. Several arrests were the result of this response. See the Press Release City Council Report (1-30-2012)
On January 30, 2012, the PIRC Coordinator submitted a quarterly report Highlights from the report include:
For further information on PIRC, please contact Jay Gilmer, PIRC Coordinator at 412-255-6774. PIRC Response (9-9-2011)
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police initiated a response to a recent homicide on the northside. Pittsburgh Police were joined by Allegheny County Adult and Juvenile Probation in this effort. Several arrests were the result of this response. See the Press Release PIRC Response (6-30-2011)
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police initiated a response to several recent homicides on the Northside and south neighborhoods. Pittsburgh Police were joined by Allegheny County Adult and Juvenile Probation in this effort. Several arrests were the result of this response. See the Press Release Bureau of Police 2010 Annual Report
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has released a comprehensive look at the department and crime statistics for 2010. It contains 98 pages of facts and figures. Many of the statistics are broken down by neighborhood. Anyone interested in the facts concerning crime and policing in the City of Pittsburgh should read it carefully. The report also includes a section summarizing the progress of PIRC during 2010 and a section analyzing the City's 57 homicides during the year. A link to the Bureau of Police 2010 Annual Report is on the left side of this page. PIRC Response (5-26-2011)
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police initiated a response to a recent homicide in the Hill District. Pittsburgh Police were joined by Allegheny County Adult and Juvenile Probation in this effort. Several arrests were the result of this response. See the Press Release PIRC Response (5-3-2011)
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police initiated a response to a recent homicide in the Hill District. Pittsburgh Police were joined by other law enforcement agencies in this effort. Several arrests were the result of this response. PIRC Status Update (3-4-2011)
On March 4, 2011, PIRC held its third round of call-in events for adults at the United States Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh. Approximately 80 offenders were in attendance, together with approximately 100 community members and 35 members of the PIRC’s law enforcement partners. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Public Safety Director Mike Huss attended the morning session. The PIRC message was emphasized by a variety of speakers from law enforcement to community leaders. Law enforcement speakers were:
Law enforcement partners in attendance included: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, United States Marshalls, Allegheny County Police, Pennsylvania State Troopers, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Unites States Attorney’s office, Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, Allegheny County Probation, United States Probation, and others. Service delivery speakers were:
Also in attendance were the team of community coordinators from One Vision One Life and many other service providers. Community voice speakers were:
Also in attendance were many interested citizens that were demonstrating their support for the offender population. PIRC Status Update (2-15-2011)
One of the three pillars of the PIRC strategy is the availability of effective services for any violent group-involved individuals that are committed to changing their ways. The City of Pittsburgh has contracted with Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. to provide intake, case management and service referrals for individuals that are in the PIRC target population. Since July 13, 2010, we are pleased to announce that PIRC has received:
PIRC is always in need of additional job opportunities for the target population. Any business or nonprofit with such a position can contact the PIRC Coordinator. The Chuck Sanders-PIRC Jobs Fund is available to provide a subsidy towards a person's pay. PIRC services are accessed by calling the PIRC Service Hotline: 412-592-9472. Saturation Details (11/9/10)
In the month following the Call-In, there were shootings in the Northside, Hill District, Larimer, and Oakland, with one homicide occurring in the Upper Hill. On Tues., Nov. 9, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, along with various multi-agency police units, conducted two saturation details. Both details were initiated as part of the PIRC response to homicides and shootings occurring in the Pittsburgh area. A number of arrests were made that day. The message was made clear: gun and gang violence will not be tolerated. Officers left the PIRC message (a card) with the individuals they encountered on the detail that included contact information for those individuals seeking assistance to better their lives and also provides a message to stop gun violence. 2nd Call-In Session (10/18/10)
On October 18, 2010, PIRC held its first call-in event for juvenile offenders at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Approximately 34 offenders were in attendance. The PIRC message was emphasized by a variety of speakers from law enforcement to community leaders including:
News Releases
1st Call-In Session (7/13/10)
PIRC was launched in the summer of 2010. The first call-in session took place Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Probation and parole checks net 8 arrests in Hill District Gang members given choices Pittsburgh anti-crime program urges providing jobs Pittsburgh gang members attend 'call-in' Gang Members confronted by Police in court Please forward public events that promote public engagement in community safety, violence prevention and/or violence reduction in the City of Pittsburgh to jay.gilmer@pittsburghpa.gov. Where does the pain go? The psychological and emotional impact of trauma in the black community - New!
When: Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Pittsburgh Obama School (formerly Reizenstein)
Sponsored by the Commission for African American Affairs in collaboration with Community Empowerment Association. Click here for additional details.
Note: this event is independently organized and is not endorsed by the City of Pittsburgh. It is listed here as a public service. All-City Public Safety Meeting - New!
When: Thursday, May 12, 2012
Where: Teamster Temple, 4701 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
Hear about city programs and policies to keep our youth safe and out of trouble this summer, a new program from the Mayor's Office, and meet other community leaders concerned about safety. Click here for a flyer with further details. Questions and RSVPs can be sent to Melanie Brown at melanieb.1@verizon.net, or call 412-281-8199.
Zone 1 Public Safety Council Regular Meeting
When: meets the 1st Thursday of each month, 5:30 p.m.
Where: 4 Allegheny Center, Mezzanine Level
Zone 1 includes all of the Northside neighborhoods.
Zone 2 Public Safety Council Regular Meeting
When: 6:00 to 7:00 pm the 4th Thursday of each month
Where: Hill House Conference Room A, 1835 Centre Avenue
For additional information, call 412-255-2134. Zone 2 includes the Hill District, Uptown, Lawrenceville, Polish Hill and the Golden Triangle.
Zone 3 Public Safety Council Regular Meeting
When: meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month
Where: Usually at the Zone 3 police station, corner of Arlington and Warrington Avenues, 4th floor Conference Room - Call Officer Luffey if attending at 412-488-8425
Zone 3 includes: Arlington, Beltzhoover, Bon Air, Carrick, Overbrook, Mt. Washington, St. Clair, and Southside Flats and Slopes.
Zone 5 Public Safety Council Regular Meeting
When: meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month
Where: The Union Project
Zone 5 includes: East Hills, East Liberty, Morningside, Garfield, Highland Park, Stanton Heights, Homewood North, Homewood West, Lincoln-Lemington, Larimer, Friendship and parts of Bloomfield.
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