Wilkinsburg community meets, seeks solutions

Concerned politicians, leaders, organizations, and members of the community filled the United Methodist Church on South Avenue of Wilkinsburg last weekend to voice their concerns over the recent shootings in the community.
Vanessa McCarthy-Johnson put this emergency meeting together after the tragic ‘Backyard Ambush’ where five lives were lost and three wounded due to another act of gun violence. The shootings have received national media attention, and Wilkinsburg residents called the meeting to address it.
The meeting began with prayer by Pastor Rita Platt, quickly followed by the welcome and purpose of meeting presented by McCarthy-Johnson.
“The purpose of this meeting is to provide the members of our community the opportunity to have their voices be heard,” said McCarthy-Johnson. “This isn’t a time for complaints, but a time to address concerns and propose possible solutions. I also hope that this encourages those to register to vote for the upcoming election.”