Our Justice Reform Committee (JRC) had their first meeting yesterday since our new organizational structure was put in place. In order to make change in our community, the first step is identifying the problem. We can’t do that without first knowing pertinent information such as the statistics and policies in place that our police department keeps secret from us. Even our commissioners are not certain of the exact content of the document. It’s easy to hide a problem, or claim there isn’t one, when this information is not publicly accessible.
Members of the JRC are meeting with Commissioner Steve Silverman tomorrow at 7pm to discuss transparency and the Mt. Lebanon Police Department’s Use of Force policy. It states directly on their website that their use of force policy is one of their “most critical documents” but they only provide a summary. The MLPD claims they are strictly prohibiting racial profiling and bias-based policing, but without transparency, we are expected to take them at their word.
What Can I Do?
Please take a moment to call your commissioner and express your concern for the MLPD’s lack of transparency.
Mt. Lebanon is made up of 5 wards, with a commissioner assigned to each one. Identifying your ward can be done by looking up your street name in one of these links:
You can also check out this map of the wards.
Once you know your ward, contact your commissioner using their information below:
- Mindy Ranney, (412) 336-8986, mranney@mtlebanon.org
- Steve Silverman, (412) 491-3794, ssilverman@mtlebanon.org
- Leeann Foster, (412) 327-1226, lfoster@mtlebanon.org
- Craig Grella, (412) 444-8675, cgrella@mtlebanon.org
- Andrew Flynn, (412) 407-5403, aflynn@mtlebanon.org
To help guide your conversation with your commissioner, we’ve created this script! Not every word has to be said verbatim, and it’s actually better when it’s not so the conversation is more natural!
1. Introduce yourself, where you live, and your concern for the lack of transparency specifically about the MLPD’s use of force policy. Example:
Hello, my name is ____, and I live at ____(address). I’m contacting you today because I am concerned about the lack of transparency with the MLPD’s Use of Force Policy.
2. Express your request for the MLPD to publicly release their use of force policy and ask the commissioner if they support it. Example:
I feel it should be added to their website so all residents and visitors are aware of the department’s approach and policy regarding the use of force. Research shows that police departments that adopt a policy of transparency create trust and support between them and the people they serve, especially people of color. This relationship of trust keeps us all safer. As commissioner, do you support making MLPD’s Use of Force Policy public?
3. If yes, thank them! You’re job of bringing this issue to their attention is done! If no, follow it up by asking for direct clarification. The goal here is for them to give a yes/no answer regarding their support on this issue. Example:
Am I hearing you say that you believe our police department should be able to have a Use of Force policy that is kept secret from the people they serve?
4. After they clarify, if they didn’t already offer it up, ask them why they feel this way.
Don’t forget to take notes! Please send your notes from your call to JusticeReform@LeboFightsRacism.com. I hope you will join us as we take steps to make Mt. Lebanon safer and more welcoming for all!
