
Locator map with the Homewood West neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania highlighted. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
After heated discussion, Pittsburgh City Council passed two bills to install surveillance cameras and a gunshot detection system in a three square mile area in Homewood at a cost of $1.15 million.
The bills were sponsored by Councilman Ricky Burgess, who said recent violence in the East End underscores the need for the surveillance cameras and the gunshot detection system, which has the ability to pinpoint the location of gunshots and notify authorities.
Councilman Patrick Dowd and Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak opposed the package of bills. Ms. Rudiak said she was concerned about how the project was proposed and funded. The money for the project will come from the 2014 capital budget, banking on the fact the city will likely run a surplus this year.