After narrowly passing an ordinance to pursue a countywide citizens’ police review board by an 8-6 vote in July, Allegheny County Council has continued to examine the topic at a string of public meetings. 

Even at the third of the four allotted public meetings Thursday night, the prospect of the board still evoked strong emotions from both law enforcement and citizens.

The push for a review board came after weeks of calls for reform throughout the Pittsburgh area following the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr. in June. 

Seventeen year-old Antwon Rose Jr. was fatally shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer June 19 while running away during a traffic stop.

Rose was unarmed, and as the video of the shooting circulated in the aftermath of the Woodland Hills High School senior’s death, his death sent shockwaves throughout Pittsburgh proper as Rose’s family and advocates demanded answers that officials couldn’t immediately provide.