2007 MetLife Awards - Lawrenceville United & City of Pittsburgh Police Department
Date Published: 03/31/2008
Author: Karin Anderson
Publisher: LISC
To confront an increase in prostitution, drug-related crime, poverty, and substandard housing conditions in the Upper Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, Lawrenceville United (LU) created its Public Safety program to coordinate and lead efforts to eliminate crime and blight, empower residents to affect neighborhood change, and to spur public and private reinvestment in the Lawrenceville community. LU utilizes a two-pronged approach: awareness and intervention to target drug violations, prostitution and vandalism in the target neighborhoods. Partnerships with the Pittsburgh Police Department and building inspectors are key to all stages of implementation. Specific strategies include: testifying at judicial hearings for property owners charged with housing code violations and other crimes; lobbying the City to expedite graffiti removal in highly visible areas; educating landlords of community expectations and responsibilities; and working with agencies including the local housing authority, Lawrenceville CDC and the US Attorney's office to increase economic development and promote public safety. LU's work with the police and other partners has yielded notable drops in crime and improvements in neighborhood quality of life, in addition to helping to garner resources such as Department of Justice Weed & Seed funding.
Topics: Economic Development & Safety, --Community Safety
Type: Case study / model practice