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WHEREAS, David Shifren was born and raised in Brooklyn and came to Pittsburgh in 1989 to attend a Masters of Fine Arts program at the University of Pittsburgh and upon graduation began a fulfilling career as a university professor, screenwriter, and novelist, writing westerns, short stories, and contributing as a ghostwriter to a popular young adult detective-novel series; and,
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WHEREAS, after completing several ride-alongs with law enforcement to better understand characters for a story he was writing, Shifren decided to attend the police academy at age 48 and has since dedicated over a decade of service to the force, with seven of those years spent as a community engagement police officer for the City of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Police; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Shifren combined his observational and listening skills from writing and from his service and highlighted them in his nontraditional police work, including organizing summer programs for youth, film studies classes for the University of Pittsburgh’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and various chess club and short story reading groups; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Shifren started a chess club at the Hazelwood library, giving youth a consistent, accessible, and intellectually stimulating event to participate in with their peers and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and,
WHEREAS, this effort became more formalized and developed into the Pittsburgh Police Junior Chess Club and expanded club locations into the Beechview, Knoxville, Sheraden, Brookline, South Oakland and other Pittsburgh neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Shifren initiated short-story discussion groups at the University of Pittsburgh's Homewood and Hill District Community Engagement Centers, where adults aged 50+ met weekly to discuss stories chosen for their variety and rich content, allowing participants to share their ideas, perceptions, and life experiences in discussions relevant even outside the classroom; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Shifren’s Jewish outlook and ideology has inspired him to lead with empathy and understanding; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Shifren will be retiring from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police on January 30, 2024 after dedicating years of service to his community;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize Officer David Shifren for his service to the City of Pittsburgh.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, January 30, 2024 to be “David Shifren Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.