Federal funding could be used to make South Side safer

PITTSBURGH — The city of Pittsburgh is getting a post-pandemic boost — hundreds of millions of dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan.

A proposal would utilize a portion of the money to make the South Side a whole lot safer.

“People are getting shot on the South Side, beat, mugged,” said South Side resident Jeremy Hanford.

And neighbors who live here said they’re numb to it.

Violent crime in Zone 3 — which covers more than a dozen city neighborhoods including the South Side —  is soaring.

From May 2020 to May 2021, crime in these communities, including rape, murder, aggravated assault and robberies, is up 47.4%.

“Especially after they’ve opened things back up after the pandemic. Things have gotten a little nuts,” said Devin Orians.

Police have upped patrols, and they’re handing out citations.

The city is now proposing using $2 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan for community public safety facilities. About $500,000 of that could be used to create a police substation in the South Side.

Sara Beth Johnson works in the South Side.

“It’s been getting kind of tense at night, so I honestly wouldn’t mind it so I feel a little bit more secure,” she said.

Before any funding is allocated, the City Council must approve the plan.

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