‘This is not a game’: DA Zappala announces bid for reelection, criticizes city leadership

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala has been the district attorney for the past 25 years. He announced his seventh bid for office on Friday and cited some problems he believes need attention with city leadership.

“They’re pushing the police to the back,” Stephen Zappala told reporters when describing how the city of Pittsburgh operates. “They have a very different philosophy on policing.”

RAW: DA Zappala announces bid for reelection, criticizes city leadership RAW web Zappala sound

Zappala says Pittsburgh police don’t have a hierarchy or administration and that temporary positions make decision-making difficult.

“When people are shooting children on a Sunday afternoon in the city of Pittsburgh, that’s brazen,” Zappala continued.  “What would make you feel comfortable enough to go downtown and kill a woman and child on a Sunday afternoon?”

Zappala thinks there’s also a current political agenda at play that protects criminals, not communities. He says he’s talked to Mayor Gainey about the underlying problems he perceives, and his office has given the best advice it can.

“You’re talking about human misery,” Zappala added. “You’re talking about people’s lives, their children. This is not a game. This is not a political agenda or philosophy.”

Mayor Gainey defended his administration and his police department’s arrest record, saying collaboration is how change will be made.

RAW: Mayor Gainey's response to Allegheny County DA's criticism of city leadership

“We have to work together,” Mayor Ed Gainey tells Channel 11. “I don’t want to point a finger at anyone. The reality is the system is off. The only way to close that flaw is working together.”

Mayor Gainey also pointed out the closure of the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center as a major obstacle for law enforcement.

“We need Shuman,” Gainey added. “There is no question about it. We need to know when we’re making arrests, they’re not just getting right back out. I want to tip my hat to Pittsburgh police. They’ve done a phenomenal job and will continue to do a phenomenal job.”

Zappala did acknowledge there are judges who have been too lenient and have released criminals back out onto the streets only for them to reoffend. He says his office is now getting involved and making recommendations for violent offenders.

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