Local Officials On Alert, Discussing Preparedness In Wake Of Baltimore Riots
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The riots in Baltimore have put police on alert in nearly every American city.
Police commanders and mayors, including Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay and Mayor Bill Peduto, are making sure they're ready, should they face a similar situation.
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As things came apart in Baltimore those charged with protecting our community were watching and swallowing hard.
"I was on the phone last night with Chief McLay just to make sure that we had a heightened awareness in case there was anything like we saw last year," said Mayor Peduto.
Chief McLay had two thoughts as he watched the rioting and burning just a few hours away.
"There but for the grace of God and then… what will be do or what can we do now to develop the kinds of relationship and the kinds of effective lines of communication with our communities of color, so that if we have a critical incident occur here, and we will, when something has occurred, will we have earned enough trust that people are willing to hit pause on the emotion," said Chief McLay.
McLay says the experience of the G-20 Summit and other large scale events in Pittsburgh provided valuable lessons.
KDKA's John Shumway Reports:
"There are some good templates that we can work off of in terms of not having to start from scratch," he said.
If a Ferguson or Baltimore were to occur here, the response would be a cooperative effort.
"We definitely would bring everyone together - the county police, the sheriffs, the municipal police, and of course, the city police, which is the biggest police force we have in this region," said Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
"We prepare, there is no doubt about it," added Mayor Peduto.
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