A response to complaints about a lack of law enforcement in Downtown Pittsburgh is expected soon from Mayor Ed Gainey.
KDKA-TV's Andy Sheehan reports Mr. Gainey will announce next week a plan to triple the number of police officers in the late afternoon and early evening hours.
The Gainey administration is also expected to ramp up a team of social workers who will reach out to people dealing with homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction Downtown.
Fraternal Order of Police President Bob Swartzwelder agrees more police are needed downtown, but he can't see finding enough officers given the current shortage.
“To maintain robust police services in the downtown area, no matter which way you slice it, you have to hire police and you have to keep them here so you can send them where they need to be,” said Swartzwelder.
Recent data shows the department has 818 officers, despite having a budget for 900.
Projections show that number could shrink to around 650 by 2025 without intervention.