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Pittsburgh City Council

Stop the Violence money may be used for city trucks.

Written by Amy Whipple

A proposed reduction in this year's Stop the Violence funding had community members speaking out for the program.

At the Dec. 16 general meeting, Council President R. Daniel Lavelle of the Upper Hill District introduced legislation that would cut the contribution to the Stop the Violence Fund in half for 2026.

The fund came under scrutiny earlier this year for its $15 million balance.

Under his proposal the Stop the Violence Fund would receive $5 million. As for the rest, $4 million would be spent on the city’s fleet and $1 million would fund the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s small business development program.

“Even with a pause, there would still be enough money in the 2026 budget to continue all our services,” he said.

The annual contribution will resume with the 2027 budget.

At the Dec. 17 committee meeting, Council agreed to a related $6 million, two-year contract with The Center that CARES. CARES provides violence intervention and prevention services for the Office of Community Health and Safety’s REACH program. 

Outreach workers partner with Pittsburgh Police and Pittsburgh Public Schools to address violence in some city high schools and related communities. The program uses a public health approach.

Council Member Kail-Smith of Westwood said that, at a recent event in Elliott, a REACH team member stopped three fights. “Immediately the kids responded,” she said.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
R. Daniel Lavelle
Topics:
Public Safety & EMSCity Budget & Fiscal
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · December 16, 2025
Sources:
Resolution 2025-2636 — authorizing the Mayor and Director of Public Safety to enter into a Professional Services Agreement or Agreements with…Ordinance 2025-2667 — amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title Two: Fiscal, Article Five: Special Funds, Section 237.03: Establishment of the…

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