McKeesport police building a positive presence at schools

By Michael Richter
mrichter@yourmvi.com
McKeesport police have implemented new measures to help foster positive relationships with residents in the community.
Resident Courtney Thompkins told council Wednesday that she believes police must build a better relationship with the community.
Thompkins is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit ACLU filed in December against the city and its police department along with Allegheny County and its police department, which alleges officers used abusive tactics and excessive force toward Black residents of McKeesport during a Dec. 20, 2020, manhunt for a suspect wanted in the shooting of an officer.
Mayor Michael Cherepko said that Chief Mark Steele is committed to building a police presence at schools in the McKeesport area, but they aren’t there to “police.”
“They’re going to have lunch with the kids, they’re talking to kids and trying to build those relationships,” Cherepko said.
Officers visit schools three days a week for a few hours.
Police have even visited children at after school programs, such as the LaRosa Youth Club.
Councilman Jim Barry, a member of the board of the LaRosa Youth Development Foundation, said it was a “nice, engaging visit.”
“They come in and interact with the kids and play different games,” Barry said. “It was really well-received. They did it last week.”
Keenon Mikell, CEO of BuildNBlock Community Advocacy and Social Justice, commended police for their handling of recent arrests.

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