Editorial: DA Zappala needs to build bridges instead of playing politics
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Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. should not be surprised at remarks from Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey.
In August, the DA released what he called a “briefing” but what felt more like an odd campaign video. Rather than providing an update on cases on the horizon, Zappala used the 13-minute video to navigate through the cases of men already convicted in connection with a Downtown Pittsburgh shooting. He detoured into criticism of Gainey by name and state Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Brighton Heights, and Pittsburgh City Councilman Bobby Wilson, D-North Side, by implication.
Gainey seemed to pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Zappala in a conversation with Tribune-Review/TribLIVE editors and reporters last week. The only surprise was that the mayor waited two months to send back the ball the DA served up.
Gainey struck back on Zappala’s accusations that the mayor’s administration hasn’t been responsive to serious crime and hasn’t communicated with the DA’s office. He pointed to meetings early in his term and about the Easter 2022 Airbnb shooting.
“You can’t change anything unless you are present. You have to be there,” Gainey said.
It is the latest volley in what is a contentious election year for Zappala. He lost his Democratic primary bid for a seventh term to public defender Matt Dugan, supported by Gainey, but won a write-in bid on the Republican side.
Zappala wasted no time firing back at Gainey.
“Mayor Gainey has the right to remain silent but apparently not the ability,” Zappala said, claiming the mayor didn’t understand the “breadth and scope” of the DA’s job.
That job doesn’t involve starting fights and then howling when the target hits back.
Gainey should set up a meeting if he wants to have a “fruitful discussion,” Zappala said. That’s a great idea. But why is it Gainey’s responsibility? Does Zappala not have the mayor’s phone number?
Gainey also has to be part of the process. The crime numbers in Downtown Pittsburgh are lower than they were, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Gainey acknowledged that in our conversation. He spoke of a need to better work with the county — both the executive’s office and the DA’s.
This is a two-way street. There needs to be partnership between the county’s top law enforcement officer and the mayor who leads the county’s largest police force. That doesn’t happen when the two are warring.