📝 AI protections for teachers?

Surveillance Tech Policy Still TBD

Pittsburgh needs more info about how various surveillance technologies capture and use our data. A new report details tech acquired, funded, or used by city departments from 2020 to now, including drones, ALPRs, ShotSpotter and more; plus, who's responsible for that data and how much each costs. [WESA]

• Parking Authority's parking enforcement cams are not Flock cameras — AI-powered surveillance cams that create a nationwide database of personal vehicles for law enforcement. [Axios Pittsburgh / ACLU]
• Allegheny County has the most ALPRs and Flock cameras in PA. On today’s pod, Megan's talking to Axios' Ryan Deto about (sorry) what the flock (so sorry) is going on with all these dang cameras. [Axios Pittsburgh / City Cast Pittsburgh]

Pitcairn Police Assist ICE in Immigration Arrests

Local police arrested a man with no criminal record and called ICE, who imprisoned him for two months in Moshannon Valley Processing Center, forcing him to miss the birth of his son. He represents one of at least 31 immigration arrests in Pitcairn, where residents have criticized the borough council’s plan to continue collaborating — one of at least 18 ICE agreements in Southwestern PA. [🔒 Post-Gazette / TribLive / Public Source]

• Emiliano’s Cranberry restaurant reopened after last year’s ICE raid on the Cranberry and Gibsonia locations, where agents detained 16 people and trashed the facilities by breaking doors and tearing out ceiling tiles. [Cranberry Eagle / NBC News]

Higher Ed Unions Call for AI Protections

Unionized faculty, staff, and grad students at Pitt are calling for labor protections surrounding AI and teaching. Union members sent a proposal guaranteeing that all classes be taught by human instructors, which the university removed in its counterproposal. Instructors at colleges across Pittsburgh — from Chatham to Point Park — have mostly been left to figure out AI policies on their own in the absence of official, university-wide guidance. [Public Source / NEXTpittsburgh]

It’s time for recommendations from our City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors 📣 This is a regular spot in the newsletter where members get to shine a light on their favorite local businesses, organizations, and events.

• 👕 Dyan J. wants to shout out Vintage 416 in Millvale. “It’s an amazing little boutique with adorable vintage clothes. I really like how they have so many items on the dressier side — things to wear to work or events. The stock is always changing with the seasons and there’s even a bridal collection. The owner, Alayna, is wonderful, and you have to say hello to her adorable pup, Rooster!”

Want to share your own shoutout? Become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor!

And welcome to our new neighbors Caily G., Patricia B., Charmaine M., David H., and Jodie M. You too can get featured in the newsletter for the low, low price of just $10/mo — that’s less than the price of three Filet-O-Fishes (and much less likely to upset your stomach).