City officials gathered Wednesday morning for a joint press conference announcing the relaunch of the city’s co-response team. “Today’s announcement is not just about bringing back a program. It’s about building a stronger and better version of it,” said Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando.Lando also explained three of the biggest ways the program will operate differently under this administration.”These corresponding teams will be based out of police headquarters, ensuring closer coordination with our public safety operations and allowing for more efficient deployment of resources,” said Lando. He also explained how the program will operate under Lt. Anthony Cunningham, the executive officer for the police department, as well as Sgt. Colleen Bristow will provide leadership, accountability, and ongoing evaluation to ensure the program meets its goals. “These teams will provide coverage throughout the entire city, and that’s something that we’re currently working on right now,” added Lando. And in Downtown, an extra team will be assigned, where police say they do see a higher concentration of those mental health calls. The team will consist of one officer and one mental health clinician. “Not every call needs someone in uniform to show up,” noted Mayor Corey O’Connor.Under former Mayor Gainey, the program was changed. Social workers responded separately from the police. In this program, they will work together. Chief Lando says his officers respond to mental health calls daily. “This is what we’re talking about when we’re talking about public safety: a system that is responsive, innovative, and centered around people,” said Mayor O’Connor. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
City officials gathered Wednesday morning for a joint press conference announcing the relaunch of the city’s co-response team.
“Today’s announcement is not just about bringing back a program. It’s about building a stronger and better version of it,” said Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando.
Lando also explained three of the biggest ways the program will operate differently under this administration.
“These corresponding teams will be based out of police headquarters, ensuring closer coordination with our public safety operations and allowing for more efficient deployment of resources,” said Lando.
He also explained how the program will operate under Lt. Anthony Cunningham, the executive officer for the police department, as well as Sgt. Colleen Bristow will provide leadership, accountability, and ongoing evaluation to ensure the program meets its goals.
“These teams will provide coverage throughout the entire city, and that’s something that we’re currently working on right now,” added Lando.
And in Downtown, an extra team will be assigned, where police say they do see a higher concentration of those mental health calls. The team will consist of one officer and one mental health clinician.
“Not every call needs someone in uniform to show up,” noted Mayor Corey O’Connor.
Under former Mayor Gainey, the program was changed. Social workers responded separately from the police. In this program, they will work together. Chief Lando says his officers respond to mental health calls daily.
“This is what we’re talking about when we’re talking about public safety: a system that is responsive, innovative, and centered around people,” said Mayor O’Connor.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.