‘People are dying,’ Pittsburgh to increase patrols as city sees spike in gun violence

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh police addressed the spike in gun violence in the city Thursday.

Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said gun violence had become a daily occurrence in Pittsburgh.

“I’m tired of going out to scenes and seeing families and communities grieving,” Hissrich said.

Officials will also launch new initiatives by partnering with federal law enforcement.

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“It’s going to be a long fight and I’m sure it will be a hard summer for us,” Hissrich said.

A very passionate Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert read a list of the names of children and teenagers that had recently been shot in the city.

“People are dying. We have to bring these numbers down and save lives. But we have to do it together.”

There have been 31 homicides in 2021, up more than 55% from the first part of 2020. 29 of the 31 deaths were from gun violence.

Non-fatal shootings are also up more than 20%.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is creating a firearms trafficking unit in Pittsburgh and plans on working closely with Pittsburgh police.

The goal is to reduce the flow of illegal firearms and reduce gun violence.

Pittsburgh police plan on increasing patrols in active areas and increase its partnership with the ATF to get illegal guns off the streets.

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Cox Media Group