by Khari Mosely
Violence is not just a public safety issue—it’s a public health crisis that affects every neighborhood, every family, and the very future of Pittsburgh. As we face the harsh realities of gun violence and community trauma, it’s imperative that our city invests not just in enforcement, but in prevention, healing, and transformative change.
That’s why I strongly support the amendments to Pittsburgh’s Stop the Violence Fund proposed by Council President R. Daniel Lavelle and myself. These reforms are timely, thoughtful, and deeply necessary. They bring transparency, equity, and accountability to a vital city initiative that deserves both public trust and measurable results.
Created in 2022, the Stop the Violence Fund was an ambitious step forward, allocating a percentage of the city’s revenue to community-based violence prevention. The fund was meant to be a beacon of hope, ensuring that resources reach those on the front lines of violence intervention—street outreach workers, trauma counselors, youth mentors, and community organizations that know their neighborhoods best.
Bold ideas need strong guardrails. Without clear oversight and structure, well-intentioned efforts can fall short of lofty goals. That’s why our proposed amendments are so critical. The reforms we advocate for establish a Community Reinvestment and Safety Task Force to guide the fund’s priorities. Requiring public reporting on spending and measurable results is essential. In addition, our proposal prioritizes funding for programs with demonstrated impact—initiatives that reduce shootings, support survivors, and build safer communities from the ground up.
These amendments are not about politics. They are about people—about saving lives and restoring trust. We are committed to ensuring that our investments are driven by data, informed by community voices, and coordinated across city departments and partners. We must be mindful that the best solutions to violence are not reactive, but proactive: investing in jobs, mental health, education, healing and addressing the root causes of violence.
Far too often, cities wait until tragedy strikes to act. Pittsburgh can continue to be a national leader in innovative anti-violence programming. We have the chance to lead with vision and integrity. By passing these amendments, Pittsburgh City Council will demonstrate that public safety is not just about policing—it’s about partnership, prevention, and purpose.
Let’s stand with the families who’ve lost loved ones, the youth who deserve safe streets, and the advocates who’ve been doing the hard work for years. Let’s give the Stop the Violence Fund the structure it needs to truly stop the violence.
Now is the time to act. For peace. For the future of Pittsburgh.
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