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Pittsburgh Police Chief: Rise in October shootings driven by drug trade

PITTSBURGH — The number of shootings in October causing injury or death are the highest they have been since 2013, and Pittsburgh’s police chief said the violence is predominantly being driven by drugs.

There were a total of 17 shootings causing injury or death during the month of October, affecting 16 different neighborhoods.

"Make no mistake about it, the weapon violence, the shootings and homicides in this city is driven predominantly by the drug trade," Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay said.

McLay helped unveil a new app named “Burgh’s Eye View,” which tracks crime across the city.

"The seemingly random placement of those shootings is an artifact of the underlying crime trend that's driving it. The nexus between drug activity and weapon violence in this community is extremely high and that's what we're seeing," McLay said.

By giving the public more information regarding where crimes happen, McLay said he hopes the result will be better communication between police and the public.