MEDIA ADVISORY: Mayor Ed Gainey, City Leaders, and Community Partners Fight to Prevent Raid of Stop the Violence Fund

WHO: Mayor Ed Gainey, Council President Lavelle, Councilman Khari Mosley, Deputy Chief of Staff Felicity Williams, and community organizations will gather to speak on Bill 1956, Amendments to § 237 “Stop the Violence Fund,” legislation to strengthen, enhance, and protect the fund. 

WHAT: Sharing support for Bill 1956 and addressing attempts to stop transfers to the Stop the Violence Fund and reallocate resources to other needs ahead of public comment and discussion at City Council Standing Committee Meeting. 

WHY: Established in 2021, the Stop the Violence Trust Fund provides dedicated resources to address gun violence as a public health crisis in our most impacted communities. Supporting both vital internal operations, like Office of Community Health and Safety and Office of Community Services and Violence Prevention, as well as contracted partnerships with Community-Based Organizations to implement solutions proven to reduce violence and promote public safety. By tackling root causes and investing in prevention, we're working towards a city with zero-gun violence deaths.  Thanks to these investments gun violence is down in Pittsburgh — at a greater rate than the rest of Allegheny County.  In 2024, homicides decreased by 19% and non-fatal shootings decreased by 28%.  These are the lowest numbers since 2019 and reflect additional decreases from 2023.  

WHEN: Wednesday, July 2nd at 10AM 

WHERE: City-County Building, 5th Floor Lobby Area, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219