Wilkinsburg Tries To Recover

With a drastically falling crime rate and optimism running high, Wilkinsburg was on its way to becoming a fully revitalized community.

The community of approximately 11,000 is known as the "City of Churches," because there are 33 churches within its 2.3 square miles.

But in the wake of Wednesday?s tragic shooting spree, residents and officials hope that a few hours of insanity won?t cast a pall over the their achievements.

"It is kind of unfair to form an opinion based on one incident. It?s just a shame that that one incident could have such an impact on how people view our town," Carrie Thomas, a Wilkinsburg resident, told WTAE Action News reporter Ted Koppy.

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Memorial and funeral services have been announced for the victims of Wednesday's shootings.

Funeral services will be held for Richard Healy of Wilkinsburg at 11 a.m. Monday at St. James Church in Wilkinsburg.

John Kroll's funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Cabot, his home town in Butler County.

A memorial service will be held for University of Pittsburgh student Emil Sanielevici at 3 p.m. Monday at Heinz Chapel in Oakland.

Wilkinsburg?s major crimes had fallen from more than 800 in 1993 to about 200 in 1998, according to Action News.

Resident Mike Hogan feels that Wednesday?s incident is an aberration ? something that doesn?t reflect on the town?s crime rate.

"This is one of those things that no amount of crime prevention can deal with," he said.

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Police Chief Gerald Brewer doesn?t downplay the incident, but at the same time, he said it?s important to not forget how far Wilkinsburg has come.

"It?s a community in sorrow, there?s going to be a healing process, but we?re still looking back on the fact that over the last few years we?ve had some really great years," he said.