Pittsburgh mayor redirects funds for body cameras
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PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto says he’s allocating $650,000 from next year’s budget to outfit the city’s entire police force with body cameras.
The administration said Monday it expects federal funding for a nationwide body camera initiative to match city funds diverted from senior centers and splash zones.
That’ll cover the estimated $1.3 million cost.
President Obama has asked Congress to provide $263 million for 50,000 body cameras and training for local police departments.
Demands for police to wear the cameras have increased since an officer in Ferguson, Missouri, fatally shot teenager Michael Brown in August.
Pittsburgh’s city council will take a final vote on Peduto’s proposed budget on Dec. 15. He’s calling for the city to spend $508 million on operations and $76.6 million on capital expenses.