Police chief announces plan to revamp Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime program

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay announced Wednesday that he’s working to revamp the Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime, or PIRC program, which cost taxpayers $1 million.

Channel 11’s Catherine Varnum first reported on the plan in July when legislation was filed to secure a grant for $150,000 to put toward outreach programs.

“We’ve been putting in place a lot of the pre-work to begin doing work,” McLay said.

The five-year PIRC program cost taxpayers $1 million and produced, some say, mixed results.

A 2012 report showed homicides dropped between 2010 and 2011, but the rate then increased in 2014.

When asked how the revamp will make the program different, McLay said implementation was the main issue the first time.

“There were a variety of implementation problems,” he said.

McLay would not give specifics, saying more details will be released later this week. However, Channel 11 News learned the new program was developed by David Kennedy and New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“It’s consistently worked well in dealing with retaliating youth violence,” McLay said.

The police chief said this time, taxpayers will see results.

“We’ve been deliberate on making sure to do it right this time,” McLay said.

The legislation is still making its way through City Council.

McLay is expecting to address more specifics on the plan Friday.

Stay with WPXI.com and Channel 11 News for the latest developments. 

Cox Media Group