Perry Hilltop: 911 response time down

A tale of two neighborhood meetings

by Tom Wilson

On the evening of July 19th, while Mayor Luke Ravenstahl patted himself of the back at a Neighborhood Forum down on the Flats of the North Side, several other politicos gathered at the Pittsburgh Project on North Charles Street to meet with local residents about the alarming increase in gun violence in Perry Hilltop.

The meeting was called by Perry Hilltop Citizens' Council (PHCC) President Janet Gunter at the urging of fellow Council members and local residents who insisted that "something has to be done." Ms. Gunter sent out invitations to many local, State and Federal officials.

Ravenstahl scheduled the Neighborhood Forum for the same evening.

U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan; Assistant U. S. Attorney Steve Kaufman; Director of Governor Rendell's Southwest Regional Office, Allen Kukovich; Senior Executive to Senator Jim Ferlo, Lloyd Wright; County Councilwoman Brenda Frazier; Pittsburgh Public School Board member, Mark Brentley Sr.; Clyde Duffy, of City Councilwoman Darlene Harris's office; Elizabeth Style, of the City's Weed and Seed office; Rhonda Brandon and Mark Fatla, of the North Side Leadership Conference; Brian O'Malley of Representative Don Walko's office; Acting Chief Deputy Sheriff Joseph Rizzo; and Beth Ann Cushanick of Representative Jake Wheatley's office, spent two hours discussing the issue of public safety with over 50 residents.

When Mary Beth Buchanan asked about response times to 911 calls, and was informed that there was sometimes an hour delay or even no-shows by police (even though the Zone One police station is less than five minutes away from most of Perry Hilltop), former Assistant Chief Craig Edwards explained his understanding of why there are lag times and no-shows.

(Note the shock on the face of County Councilwoman Brenda Frazier.):

Several followup meetings are planned.

Photo by the Post-Gazette