By Joanna Putman
Police1
PITTSBURGH — Added lighting and police patrols have helped Pittsburgh’s South Side streets feel safer, residents told KDKA.
Ten police officers and a sergeant have been in charge of patrolling the South Side for six months after the bureau made a decision in June that South Side crime had gotten out of hand, according to the report.
“We weren’t adequately staffed to support the demand that these businesses generate,” Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto said. “Some of the patrons’ behavior was unchecked for quite some time and it evolved into an anything-goes environment.”
Scirotto stated the extra patrols have resulted in a noticeable crime decrease. Sgt. Andrew Robinson, who leads the South Side foot patrols, told KDKA that the team was responsible for 95 arrests, 18 recovered firearms, more than 200 traffic stops and writing more than 1,000 citations.
“Our officers are working shoulder to shoulder with the residents, the community leaders and business owners down here on the South Side,” Robinson said.
In the next year, the city plans to permanently assign 12 officers and a sergeant to patrol the area, according to the report.
“Whatever was going on before has definitely stemmed because of the police presence,” Averill Grimes, a manager at a local business, told KDKA. “They have lights on the corner, so everyone feels safe. It’s nice and bright down here.”
