More Details for the G-20

Pittsburgh City Council today returned to its meeting chamber early from its August recess, introduced legislation related to next month's G-20 Summit, and demanded more information before a vote on a variety of financial and safety matters.

"There's clearly a gap" in the budget for the summit, expected to bring world leaders and big protests, said council Public Safety Chair Bruce Kraus. There's also a gap in services in city neighborhoods, like lot clean-up, building demolition, and the kind of preventive policing needed to stem murders in the South Hills neighborhoods he represents, he said.

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Can Pittsburgh Council ban protester masks?

You can bring your mask or your gun Downtown for the G-20 summit, but don't pack your pipe or gas mask just yet.

City Council yesterday nixed legislation sought by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration that would have allowed police to cite people for wearing masks or hoods to conceal their faces while attempting something unlawful. It delayed action until today on another proposed ordinance that would allow police to cite people for possessing a host of items -- no longer including guns -- if they detect an intent to thwart crowd control efforts.

Members said they haven't gotten clear, public answers from administration officials on why the legislation is needed, or on how police can judge the intent of people who might be carrying PVC pipe or a carton of eggs. "They're not at the table tomorrow, we vote them down," said council Public Safety Chair Bruce Kraus.

Just two members -- Ricky Burgess and Jim Motznik -- voted for the mask ordinance.

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