Pittsburgh is poised to expand its police response to domestic violence threats and crimes, backed by a philanthropic gift, Mayor Bill Peduto’s office announced Tuesday.
Some $500,000 over five years from the local Nina Baldwin Fisher Foundation would cover three new positions in 2019: a sergeant, a detective specialist and a civilian clerical specialist, all focused on domestic violence, the administration said. An existing police position — a detective’s slot — would be designated for the unit, as well.
Pittsburgh City Council introduced legislation Tuesday to accept the money and create the new team. Council could vote on the legislation over the coming weeks.
Pittsburgh police answer more than 13,000 domestic calls annually, according to the city. The new unit would expand data collection and processing to bolster investigations and review all incident reports involving domestic violence, among other functions, the administration said.
The work would include supporting victims and witnesses of domestic crime and expanding the bureau's existing collaboration with The Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, according to the city.
“Pittsburgh police officers respond to thousands of domestic violence calls every year, and this generous grant from the Nina Baldwin Fisher Foundation will enhance our services and responses to victims in desperate need of our help,” Mr. Peduto said in a statement.
The foundation approached the city and has been developing the idea for 18 months, Timothy McNulty, the mayor’s spokesman said.
Mr. McNulty said the city plans to keep the expanded team active beyond the five-year funding commitment.
The Women’s Center already has been working closely with a designated Pittsburgh police detective and the officers on “lethality assessments,” which assesses a partner’s safety following a domestic violence incident, said Nicole Molinaro, CEO and president of the shelter.
“[The police] call our 24-hour hotline, and hopefully the victim at the scene is willing to talk, which they usually are. Then they do emergency safety planning,” she said, citing that 70 percent of the victims they talk to are first-time callers.
Ms. Molinaro said her organization has worked with the city police on over 1,400 assessments per year. She said the grant money will allow more robust data collection and collaboration.
One of the new program's goals is to create a database to track domestic violence crimes, including tracking protection-from-abuse orders, which can cross municipal and county lines.
“How do you keep track and enforce them? That’s probably the most important part that will help us from the technology side,” Mr. McNulty said.
Council is expected to pass the bill by the end of January, with the grant becoming active by Jan. 31.
Ashley Murray: amurray@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1750.
First Published: January 15, 2019, 3:16 p.m.