Residents rally against plan to house federal inmates in neighborhood
By Marcie Cipriani
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PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — Residents in the Banksville neighborhood of Pittsburgh are mobilizing against a proposal to sell the FOP Lodge No. 1 building and convert it into a reentry facility for federal inmates, with plans to voice their opposition at a city Planning Commission meeting next month.
“The people that are going to be staying in this facility are going to be convicted felons, and these felons are going to be sexual predators, drug dealers and violent criminals,” said Deborah Wiley, of Banksville.
Standing in front of the building on Banksville Avenue, Wiley highlighted its proximity to homes, daycares and schools, calling it the wrong location to house 100 federal inmates transitioning back into society.
“The worry is that they will recommit some of these crimes in the neighborhood. This is a quiet neighborhood that doesn’t have a lot of crime,” Wiley said.
The organization seeking to purchase the building, Dismas Charities, has not responded to inquiries about its plans and programs.
According to its website, Dismas Charities emphasizes values such as integrity, respect, dignity, and accountability, stating that all individuals are accountable for their actions and have the capacity to change.
In February, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 revealed incidents tied to Dismas Charities’ reentry programs, including a 2018 case in Kentucky where an inmate left a Dismas facility and killed a police officer.
Peggy Rothert, a lifelong Banksville resident and retired Pittsburgh police officer, expressed her concerns about the potential impact of the facility.
“My worry is the crime that may follow, with this kind of facility,” Rothert said.
Rothert is among hundreds of residents planning to attend the city planning commission meeting next week, where officials will consider Dismas Charities’ request to move forward with the proposal.
“I know for a fact that the neighborhood’s going to show up for it because we’ve worked on a petition and we’ve gathered 300 to 400 signatures,” Rothert said.
The planning commission meeting is set for May 5 at 2 p.m. It will be open to the public, both in person and virtually. Residents can also submit their opinions in writing ahead of time. Click here for full information on the meeting and public comment procedures.
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