The city needs them

According to the Post-Gazette, state Sen. Jane Orie of McCandless is attempting to push forward legislation that would remove the requirement for Pittsburgh police officers to live in the city ("City Opposes Latest Effort to Nix Police Residency Rules," June 17). I believe that residency requirements for first responders are the right approach for a number of reasons, and thus our city legislators need to stand against the proposal of "Out-of-town Orie."

Requiring the city's police officers to live within the city limits means that we have a more accessible police force in times of emergency. I live in Morningside, and the most recent example would be the shooting of three police officers by Richard Poplawski, which most likely required many other police officers to be rushed in to address an emergency that certainly posed a danger to residents. If there is not a requirement to keep our police officers in city limits, we open ourselves up to a risk that could endanger our residents.

We all know that navigating Pittsburgh is sometimes difficult for out-of-towners, and residency requirements ensure that our police officers know the city that they are working in.

And furthermore, police officers are among our best neighbors and taxpayers. We should do what we can to keep them here!

If there is a problem with how city services are being run, I am sure that the city's legislators will act upon it. Out-of-town Orie really should get back to the work of her constituency. Last time I heard there was plenty of work to be done.

ERIC RUSSELL
Morningside