2019 election
Bobby Wilson addresses his supporters at his post-election celebration at the Elks Lodge in the North Side. (Photo by Juliette Rihl/PublicSource)

Wilson emerges as the new city council representative for Pittsburgh’s North Side

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After nearly 13 years of being represented by Councilwoman Darlene Harris, the North Side has a new City Council representative. Spring Hill’s Bobby Wilson, 36, won the District 1 City Council seat with 60% of the vote in Tuesday’s election (3,554 votes as of 10:32 p.m.)

Wilson defeated independent candidates Chris Rosselot and Malcolm Jarrett. “What this means is a new progressive North Side,” Wilson said in his victory speech Tuesday evening. ”We continue to really change the face of how we’re going to collaborate with people, whether it’s City Council or the mayor.”

Wilson credited voters for supporting his vision for the district.“We’re going to get more for us. And it’s because of the voters of District 1 that came out and voted for me, this campaign, that we’re going to be able to do that.”

Wilson, a medical researcher at the University of Pittsburgh and father of three, said in an interview before Election Day that his top priority for the North Side is affordable housing.

MONEY & POLITICS
Pittsburgh Chief of Police Scott Schubert after speaking to City Council about a new body camera and Taser contract.

Pittsburgh City Council considers $10.9 million purchase of police body cameras, Tasers with scant information

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The Pittsburgh City Council is poised to approve a $10.9 million contract to purchase 950 body cameras and 950 Tasers to equip the entire police force with upgraded equipment. 

The city originally entered into a $1.5 million contract with Axon in 2017 for 550 body cameras. In January, council voted to increase that contract amount to $2.3 million to outfit more officers with cameras. If council approves the new $10.9 million proposed contract at its 10 a.m. Monday meeting, those cameras and the current contract will be replaced with little public scrutiny from council members. The proposed contract to last through 2024 is a notable extension of business with a company whose previous engagement with the city has been scrutinized. The city approved the original contract without seeking competitive bids and involved a Pittsburgh police official with ties to Axon. 

Though the city’s first batch of police body cameras are two years old or newer, the technology is evolving rapidly.