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Officers asked to help at summit
An estimated 4,000 officers will be needed to provide security for the event.
Police agencies of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys are being asked to send officers to help with security at the G-20 economic summit set for Sept. 24 and 25 in Pittsburgh.
Lawrence County Sheriff Perry Quahliero said he received a letter from Pittsburgh asking for officers. He said he has not made a decision yet but noted that scheduling will determine whether he can spare any deputies. He said that committing officers so far in advance is difficult because he is not notified of court hearings until the day before. He said that two of his deputies also will be attending school the week of the summit.
Other local departments said they also received letters and are deciding whether they can spare any officers. New Wilmington said they weren’t sending anyone. Union Township said it is doubtful. New Castle police did not return calls seeking comment. One chief, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had concerns about who assumes the liability if an officer is injured.
Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said Pittsburgh Police Chief Nathan Harper has requested officers from the Youngstown department. He said there is an expectation of a large crowd of protesters in the early stages of the event.
Hughes said he is taking care of a few particulars related to the request, such as liability issues for officers sent to assist, but said the request likely will be granted.
“They made the request, and I am looking at what I can send — tactical, bomb and canine units — if possible,” Hughes said. “We are looking at it, and whatever I can send, I will send.”
Police in Campbell and Struthers said they are not sending personnel to the G-20 Summit.
Columbiana County Sheriff Ray Stone said his department got the letter but will not send officers. Likewise, Salem Police Chief Robert Floor said his department had received the request but would not send officers.
Pittsburgh Police Department spokeswoman Diane Richard said Thursday that Chief Harper has sent letters to numerous police agencies across the United States asking for help to provide the 4,000 officers needed to provide security for the summit. Pittsburgh has about 800 officers on its force.
Richard said the Pennsylvania State Police have committed 1,200 officers, but she had no figures on how much help other police agencies will send.
She said the city is committed to “making sure we can protect life and property” during the summit. She said the state of Pennsylvania and the federal government are helping the city to pay the security costs.
The April 2009 G-20 summit in London drew thousands of anti-war, environmental and economic protesters.
XContributors: Staff writers John Goodwin, Jeanne Starmack and D. A. Wilkinson.