12/18 2024

Letter From A Concerned Neighbor About School Buses


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School buses now issue $300 tickets.

Dear Neighbor,

I was recently caught off-guard by something every driver should know about.  Pittsburgh school buses now have video cameras.  These cameras record any movement from the time the bus’s safety lights are activated, even before the stop-arm is extended.  If you aren’t watching carefully, you can be in violation.

If a violation occurs, a $300 citation will be mailed to the vehicle owner regardless of who is driving.  This citation is a civil fine.  It does not add points on your license or directly affect your auto insurance.

The citation shows pictures of your vehicle (see attached scan) and a link to the Alertbus.com website where you can access the pictures and video of your vehicle and an opportunity to pay the fine by credit card.  A prominent local attorney confirmed the law that allows these citations to be issued, 75 Pa. C.S. Section 3345.1(c)(4).

If the citation is not paid, you will be sent for collection, which can severely affect your credit score and increase your insurance premiums.  To contest liability, follow the instructions on the citation and you will be notified of your hearing details. There is a non-refundable $90 court fee for this hearing.

I am all for improved school bus safety, but I don’t think enough has been done to alert the public about this new system, including marking all buses with the words “Video Monitored” prominently displayed on every bus.

WPXI has done multiple reports on the complaints they’ve received about this system.  One report stated that $858,559 in revenue had been collected in the first six months of using these school bus camera tickets. The majority of that money goes to BusPatrol, the company that provides the AlertBus cameras and processes citations.

www.wpxi.com/news/local/858559-revenue-collected-first-6-months-automated-school-bus-camera-tickets/QNHAUP6UNZB3TJ7B5EBHCV2CUU/

www.wpxi.com/news/local/11-investigates-ai-powered-camera-system-could-have-costly-bug/RMY7E2CGJ5GDZMLS6CUWGNFMBQ/

www.wpxi.com/news/local/11-investigates-exclusive-automated-school-bus-camera-tickets-are-hold-pittsburgh/A33ZXCC2FFGIHFQZ2SAOUBMHIA/

This is a link to the notice from Pittsburgh Public Schools about the program:

www.pghschools.org/departments/transportation/bus-patrol

Sincerely, Phil Garrow
South Oakland Resident
09/24 2024

Oakcliffe/Pitt “Be A Good Neighbor” Block Party Tue 9/24 POSTPONED to 10/15


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Join OCO and Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs for an evening of fun, food,
prizes, meeting your neighbors, and making connections!
Party takes place from 5 to 7 p.m., rain or shine, but not thunderstorms.
Oakcliffe Block Party postponed to Tuesday October 15.
 
09/11 2024

OCO September 11, 2024 Meeting Info


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The monthly Oakcliffe Community Organization is Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM 
via Zoom and in person at 3240 Craft Place, where there is free off-street parking.  Take the elevator or the stairs to the top floor.
08/14 2024

OCO August 14, 2024 Meeting Info


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The monthly Oakcliffe Community Organization is Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 at 7:00 PM 
via Zoom and in person at 3240 Craft Place, where there is free off-street parking.
Take the elevator or the stairs to the top floor.
Additional information:
 Pitt Block Parties:
  National Night Out:

08/01 2014

19th Annual Twilight Tour Of Fallingwater – Sat, Aug. 23, 2014


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Experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater as the sun sets over the ridges of the Laurel Highlands during the 19th Annual Twilight Tour and Concert on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The tour, concert and picnic dinner, sponsored by Huntington Bank, provides guests with an opportunity to experience the house, mingle with old and new friends and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres. Organizers invite guests to walk through the rooms of the house at their own pace as the changing light allows visitors to see Fallingwater from an entirely new perspective.
 
At twilight, a lantern-lit path will lead guests to a meadow, where they will enjoy live jazz by The David Bach Trio from Washington, D.C., while dining on a gourmet picnic dinner prepared by Fallingwater’s chef.  The David Bach Trio is featured on the internationally syndicated television show “Jazz Central.”
 
Space is limited – tickets should be purchased by Aug. 18.
 
Available by advance ticket purchase only
Tickets available online or by phone
$225 per person non-members
$200 per person members*
A portion of the price — $100 — is tax deductible and supports the preservation of Fallingwater.

04/09 2014

Town Mtg By Rep Wheatley On Pgh Land Bank Bill Thur 4/10 5:30pm


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From Rep Wheatley’s Office:
Thursday: Town meeting on land bank bill

You’re invited to a town meeting I will hold to inform constituents, especially in the Hilltop communities, about the current land bank bill being considered in Pittsburgh City Council, to learn how residents feel about this bill and which parts people like or dislike.

The meeting will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul AME Church, 400 Orchard Place in Beltzhoover. It will include a visual presentation outlining key points about the bill, followed by a question-and-answer session.

If you need more information, please call at 412-471-7760.

02/19 2014

Oakwatch meeting TONIGHT 2/19 6PM at Career Center 294 Semple St


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A friendly reminder of tonight’s Oakwatch meeting. We will congregate at the Oakland Career Center at 294 Semple Street and begin at 6PM. Look forward to updates from the Mayor’s Office, Councilman Kraus’ Office, the Bureau of Building Inspection, and our University of Pittsburgh Police and Zone 4 Police partners, among others.

Refresh yourself with last month’s minutes on our website at:
http://www.opdc.org/oakwatch/

01/09 2014

Oakwatch Meeting Wed Jan 15 12-1:30pm at Jewish Fed of Grtr Pgh


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Oakwatch meeting will be at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh (234 McKee Place) from 12-1:30PM.
The Federation likes to know how many to plan for so RSVP with Alicia at 412.621.7863 ext. 21.
Only street parking will be available.

Code enforcement partners will join us for updates, and District 8 City Councilman Dan Gilman will be the guest speaker. Coffee and snacks will abound.