FOP lodge in Pittsburgh could become transitional housing

The Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood could soon be converted into transitional housing for federal inmates, but nearby residents say they’re prepared to fight the plan.Officials say the building is being considered for purchase by Dismas Charities, a nonprofit that operates reentry programs in multiple communities. If the sale is approved, the facility would house about 100 federal inmates as they transition back into society.”Not in a neighborhood. This is far too close,” said Michele Bertini, of Banksville.”I know these people need chances for rehab, so I’m very supportive of that, but don’t put them close to a neighborhood,” said Dianne Arnold, of Banksville.Some neighbors told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 they are particularly concerned after learning the proposed site would not be a secure facility.”They told me that this was not going to be a secure facility,” Bertini said. “So how am I going to sleep at night?”Dismas Charities says it has been “healing the human spirit for more than 60 years,” but Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 found past incidents tied to the reentry program, including a 2018 case in Louisville, Kentucky, in which an inmate who left a Dismas facility later killed a police officer while on the run.The potential sale has not been approved. It is contingent on zoning approval by the Pittsburgh City Council.Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Dismas Charities for comment about the Banksville plan but has not received a response.

PITTSBURGH —

The Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood could soon be converted into transitional housing for federal inmates, but nearby residents say they’re prepared to fight the plan.

Officials say the building is being considered for purchase by Dismas Charities, a nonprofit that operates reentry programs in multiple communities. If the sale is approved, the facility would house about 100 federal inmates as they transition back into society.

“Not in a neighborhood. This is far too close,” said Michele Bertini, of Banksville.

“I know these people need chances for rehab, so I’m very supportive of that, but don’t put them close to a neighborhood,” said Dianne Arnold, of Banksville.

Some neighbors told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 they are particularly concerned after learning the proposed site would not be a secure facility.

“They told me that this was not going to be a secure facility,” Bertini said. “So how am I going to sleep at night?”

Dismas Charities says it has been “healing the human spirit for more than 60 years,” but Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 found past incidents tied to the reentry program, including a 2018 case in Louisville, Kentucky, in which an inmate who left a Dismas facility later killed a police officer while on the run.

The potential sale has not been approved. It is contingent on zoning approval by the Pittsburgh City Council.

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 repeatedly reached out to Dismas Charities for comment about the Banksville plan but has not received a response.