Move to rename Brackenridge street after police chief could take time

The Brackenridge street where police Chief Justin McIntire lived his life — and met his death — may soon bear his name.

On Thursday, exactly one month after McIntire was shot and killed on duty, borough council authorized Solicitor Craig Alexander to draw up an ordinance renaming Third Avenue in his honor.

Late in the afternoon of Jan. 2, McIntire was ambushed by a fugitive that he and police from neighboring communities had been pursuing. He died at the scene near the intersection of Third Avenue and Morgan Street.

Debbie Beale, a Grant Street resident who knew the chief and his family all his life, proposed renaming the street McIntire Way.

She was on hand at the council meeting Thursday to lobby for the renaming.

Members of McIntire’s family also were there to endorse the proposal.

“I think it should be done for my brother,” said Tiffany Black, fighting back tears as she spoke. “That’s where we were born and raised, and I think it should be done for him.”

Lori McIntire, the chief’s mother, said it is an honor that is appropriate, even if it involves only renaming one section of the street or just adding Chief McIntire’s name to the existing street signs.

“Whatever is easiest for you,” she told council.

Officials discussed what changing the street name would entail.

Alexander said it starts with writing an ordinance making the change and then gaining approval from Third Avenue residents.

“It’s not a hard process,” Alexander said. “Fox Chapel did it a couple of years ago when they renamed Squaw Run Road, and it was a very smooth process.”

Council President Tim Connolly and the rest of council authorized him to write the ordinance. Once it’s advertised, the public will have the opportunity to provide input.

Lori McIntire, who has lived on Third Avenue for 50 years, said she has talked to some of her neighbors about it.

“The ones I’ve talked to are for it,” she said. “I haven’t talked to all of them.”

Asked if he foresees any residents opposing the move, Connolly said, “I can’t imagine that at all.”

Mayor Lindsay Fraser said some residents have been pushing borough officials to honor the chief immediately.

“They want something done now,” she said. “They don’t understand that government doesn’t work like that.”

“We don’t anticipate any opposition, but we have to go through the process,” Councilman John Stanzione said. “There’s a lot to it, but we’ll get it done.”

In addition to getting the support of Third Avenue residents, the borough also would have to inform the U.S. Postal Service of the name change and allow time for residents’ addresses to be changed for mail delivery.

Beale thanked Fraser and council for moving forward on the street renaming.

“I think the community needs it,” she said. “It’s a positive step.”