Target 11: Mayor Gainey, police chief not on same page regarding new traffic stop policy

PITTSBURGH — There has been more fallout over a decision from Pittsburgh’s acting police chief to ignore a city ordinance and begin enforcing minor traffic violations again. Target 11 Investigator Rick Earle broke this story last week, but now Mayor Gainey is weighing in and his comments do not appear to be in line with the acting chief.

The mayor suggested this is only a temporary pause to address training issues involving a new state law, but the chief has offered another reason for rescinding the ban.

Mayor Ed Gainey today contradicted the acting police chief and voiced support for a ban on secondary traffic stops.

The Mayor, in a news release, stated the focus will be on violent offenders, writing that “Secondary traffic stops for minor infractions are not and will never be a part of that focus.”

Gainey also said, “We fully support the legislation by City Council and plan to work diligently to train our officers on this law.”

Last week, acting chief Tom Stangrecki issued a memo obtained by Target 11 to all officers, rescinding the ban on enforcing minor traffic violations.

The move caught Councilman Rev Ricky Burgess by surprise. He introduced legislation banning minor traffic stops last year, and the council approved it by a vote of 8-1.

“I don’t take this personally, but again I just think they should reconsider it because I think it will actually have the reverse effect and make us less safe,” said Burgess.

Burgess argued that the enforcement of minor traffic stops unfairly targets minorities, and compromises the safety of drivers and officers. Opponents disagree saying other more serious crimes may go undetected.

Today, the mayor attempted to clarify the chief’s memo..claiming he was only delaying training to make sure it included information about a new state law.

The acting chief offered another reason for the reversal telling a local radio station he did it partly to improve morale saying, “I thought it was imperative that I send out some strong messaging to the officers that are still here on this police force that you can do your job, you can enforce the law.”

The chief says that officers are here to enforce the law. The Mayor did not elaborate on the new state law but said it prohibits police from pulling over drivers with partially obstructed license plates.

For now, it appears officers will continue enforcing the minor violations until they are told otherwise.

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