Saftey in South O

I met with chief Delaney last week.

The meeting was extremely productive. Chief Delaney is well aware of the need for a greater attention to security in South Oakland and is in full support of implementation of blue lights and security cameras.

I also met with Logistics coordinator Josh Cochran. This is the person who would actually be in charge of the construction and physical implementation of blue lights and security cameras. We discussed the feasibility of implementation of blue lights in South Oakland and how the Pitt Police have implemented them in the past.

After this meeting I can say with confidence that I have the support of the Chief and the Pitt Police in this project. The Pitt police are given their budget in June. Knowing that I have their support, the real issue is obtaining the money for the project from the University.

I plan on taking a very active role in the lobbying process for the Pitt Police’s budget. Now that I kind of have everything squared away with the Pitt Police, I plan on meeting with the University officials and administrators responsible for delegating the Pitt Police’s budget.

Throughout my years at Pitt it has become clear that many students have concerns with safety in South Oakland. Many students are forced to live there because the University cannot offer guaranteed housing. These concerns became increasingly apparent through the election, when I ran and was elected on this platform. I want to convey this to the University officials who write the budget for the Pitt Police. It is crucial that these University administrators comprehend the student’s desire for a greater attention to safety in South Oakland. I will continue to lobby for greater funding to the Pitt Police for the implementation of the blue light system and security cameras in South Oakland.

Of course, there are other stumbling points, such as the expensive process of wiring the lights, uprooting the sidewalk, etc, but originally it was thought unfeasible and financially impossible to install the blue light system on certain areas of upper campus. Action needs to be taken, steps need to be made towards a safer South Oakland. And I….will take that action.