Council weighs police options

Members of East Pittsburgh borough council still are debating whether to dissolve the borough police force and seek coverage from another department.

“We’re still making progress,” council President Dennis Simon said before council’s meeting Tuesday night.

Last month, Allegheny County police Superintendent Coleman McDonough said East Pittsburgh had several informal sessions with county police to discuss whether the county department could take over for the borough’s nine-member force.

The discussions with county police occurred after East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld, 30, was charged with criminal homicide in the fatal shooting of Antwon Rose Jr. on June 19.

Antwon was killed that evening after Officer Rosfeld conducted a felony traffic stop of the vehicle in which the teen was a front-seat passenger. After Officer Rosfeld got the driver of the vehicle out of the car and down on the ground, Antwon got out and fled. He was shot in the back, arm and face.

The teen’s death sparked days and nights of protests, with supporters demanding that criminal charges be filed against Officer Rosfeld.

East Pittsburgh also could seek aid from Pennsylvania State Police, whose policing services are free.

“In my opinion, it [the state police] is the last resort,” Mr. Simon said. “They’re really good, but how available are they?”

Borough officials said council could vote on the fate of its police department in October.