The interview focused on strategies to improve safety in Pittsburgh’s South Side nightlife district, particularly along Carson Street. It highlighted a new weekend pilot program that closes several blocks to traffic, adds security screenings, and deploys coordinated police and private security to address overcrowding and violence.
A key strategy is the creation of a dedicated nightlife policing unit, replacing overtime assignments and emphasizing consistent staffing with officers suited to the environment. Broader safety efforts include a multi-agency Nuisance Bar Task Force that conducts regular compliance checks to encourage responsible business practices rather than closures.
Rising youth violence and large gatherings were identified as major concerns, with social media seen as a contributing factor. Addressing these issues requires collaboration beyond law enforcement, involving schools, courts, families, and community organizations to create preventative solutions.
Overall, the approach emphasizes targeted policing, community partnerships, and coordinated multi-agency efforts to improve both public safety and quality of life in nightlife areas.
Jason Lando was selected as the Chief of Police for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police in January, 2026.
Chief Lando previously spent 21 years with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (2000-2021), where he served his last seven years at the rank of Commander. In his capacity leading one of Pittsburgh’s busiest and most diverse districts, Jason and his team implemented several initiatives geared toward uniting police officers and community members, while simultaneously combating violent crime. During this same time, Chief Lando served as one of the lead trainers for the National Initiative for Building Community Trust & Justice. As part of this program, Jason and his team trained 1,000 police officers in the concepts of Procedural Justice.
In 2021, Chief Lando was selected as Chief of Police for the Frederick Police Department in Frederick, MD. During his time in Frederick, Chief Lando established a mental health tri-responder program pairing a Frederick Police officer with an EMT and a therapist to respond to mental health emergencies. He also established FPD’s Multi-Cultural Liaison Unit, designed to strengthen relationships between police and several historically marginalized communities. In addition to several community focused initiatives, Chief Lando prioritized employee wellness with the implementation of the FPD Resiliency & Wellness Group. The RWG was an employee-led effort to ensure sworn and civilian staff are physically and mentally prepared for the difficult challenges of the policing profession. As part of this initiative, FPD hired its first-ever Wellness Coach, a clinician whose sole purpose is to take care of those who are tasked with taking care of the Frederick community.
Chief Lando holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in legal studies from California University of Pennsylvania. For the last nine years, Jason has also served as a Big Brother to now 18-year-old Jayden, as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters - Bigs in Blue program.
