Committees back $250,000 contract with Operation Better Block for Safe Passages youth program

The Public Safety & Wellness standing committee voted July 1 to authorize the mayor and director of public safety to contract with Operation Better Block to operate the Safe Passages youth violence‑prevention program at a cost not to exceed $250,000 for one year.

Council members lauded the program's work inside Pittsburgh Public Schools. "The safe passages program is a really great program that's happening in our schools," Council member Warwick said, noting the program's role in reducing disciplinary incidents and keeping summer staff working. Council President Lau and others urged the school district and philanthropic partners to help develop a sustainable funding model beyond the city’s short‑term commitment.

Committee members described program scale and staffing: witnesses said the program engaged roughly 64 young people across six school sites last year, producing graduates trained in violence‑intervention and violence‑interrupting work. Council members emphasized the program's dual impact—keeping young people engaged and channeling their knowledge back into community safety efforts.

Why it matters: The resolution keeps the Safe Passages program operational in the near term and signals city support for community‑based violence‑intervention efforts in public schools. Committee discussions highlighted both the effectiveness of locally staffed programs and the funding fragility once a grant ends.

Next steps: The committee gave an affirmative recommendation. Members asked administration staff to work with Pittsburgh Public Schools and other partners over the next six months to identify a sustainable funding model for continuation.