Pittsburgh school police may resume issuing citations, but with better communication

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Board at its public agenda review meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo by Pamela Smith/PublicSource) Black students are more likely to receive citations, which can blot future background checks. Under a proposed new policy, principals should consider supportive steps. & Lajja Mistry, PublicSource & Pittsburgh schools may start reissuing summary citations against students after introducing a revised policy on student conduct on Wednesday.& & The district placed a temporary pause on summary citations or non-traffic citations in July and later extended it twice while officials worked out a permanent solution.& Summary citations are issued for the most minor criminal offenses, often resulting in fines. According to a 2020& Black Girls Equity Alliance report, 492 students received citations in Allegheny County in the prior year, of which nearly a third were issued by Pittsburgh Public Schools [PPS] police. The revised policy, introduced by the policy and the operations and safety committees at a Wednesday evening meeting, proposes changes to how the school principals must be notified before a citation is filed. The board will vote on the proposal during a scheduled legislative meeting on Feb. 28. If it passes, school principals will be required to determine...