Pittsburgh police seek to improve relationship with Muslims

PITTSBURGH (AP) _ Pittsburgh’s police department is pledging to improve communication with the city’s Muslim community following the Thanksgiving Day shooting of a Muslim cab driver.
Chief Cameron McLay made the announcement during a Saturday meeting at Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. He says the Nov. 26 shooting highlighted that his department needs to build trust with the Muslim community.
He says “there was a great deal of speculation” about the crime’s motive and his department’s response.

The driver, a Moroccan immigrant, was shot in the back and is recovering. Anthony Mohamed, 26, of Hazelwood faces charges including aggravated assault, criminal attempt homicide, and recklessly endangering another person.  Online court records don’t list a lawyer for Mohamed.
The crime is being looked at as a hate crime.
McLay says his initiative will include officer training on cultural issues and having a city liaison work with the Islamic center.