Northside Public Safety Bulletin: December 2019

By David Stacy

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Training via Wikimedia Commons

The Northside Public Safety Council (NPSC) would like to wish all of our fellow Northsiders the best happy and safe holidays. Here are some tips for preventing yourself from becoming a victim of Opportunistic Crimes.

Porch Pirates

This time of year there will be many packages sent to your homes and businesses. You can make arrangements with the people you are expecting deliveries from to place any deliveries or packages in a safe place, whether it be on porches, in courtyards, or with neighbors who are willing to receive your deliveries. If you can offer to receive deliveries at your home or property for your neighbors, we encourage you to do so. You should also try and locate any security cameras in your area in case you become a victim of theft or vandalism.

Smash and Grab

Theft from vehicles is one of the highest nonviolent crimes in the Northside. Citywide, most theft from vehicles is from leaving doors unlocked, but as of late, we are noticing more and more windows being broken on vehicles when items are visible such as electronics, packages, shopping bags or just loose coins. We highly recommend keeping nothing visible in your vehicles that may be of any value and please remember to lock all doors.

Phone Scams

We all get an endless amount of phone solicitors and scams and recognize that the less you answer calls you are not familiar with, the less the callers will continue to call. A lot of these calls can look like they are coming from your neighborhood: They can even have the same exchange numbers as your cell phone exchange number. Don’t be fooled and do NOT give any money or personal information to anyone you are not completely familiar with. If it is a legitimate call, collection, or concern, you will be notified by mail or email. This also applies with computer or online scams stating that your computer is going to shut down or crash. Just ignore them and call your internet supplier at first chance. Don’t be a victim of a scam.

Northside Crime Statistics

In the month of October, there were 3,701 calls to 911, approximately 140 arrests, and 54 arrests were a result of theft. Approximately six guns were confiscated.

FEEDING THE HUNGRY FOR THANKSGIVING 2019 – Do you need a meal on Thanksgiving? The Rotary Clubs of Bethel-St. Clair and Northern Allegheny, and Holy Assumption of St. Mary Orthodox Church are partnering again this year for “Get Stuffed With Love.” They will cook and assemble food on Thanksgiving Day and Pittsburgh Police Officers will deliver it. Over the past 16 years, this event has gone from feeding 250 people who are homeless, shut-ins, disabled, and in need to over 3,800 people, and the numbers keep growing! If you need a meal or know someone that may, you just need to contact your local police zone officer. The deadline date to call in a meal is Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2019. NO EXCEPTIONS, so please call now. Representing the Zone 1 Police Department is Officer Sylvester Wright or Officer Darrick Payton at 412-323-7201. Email them at sylvester.wright@pittsburghpa.gov or darrick.payton@pittsburghpa.gov.

CRIME STATISTICS – In Zone 1 Northside for the month of September 2019: 3,902 calls for service answered; 532 reportable incidents; 159 arrests; 16 firearms recovered.
Within a five-year average, crime has significantly dropped by 34% in our Northside neighborhood with much thanks to our Zone 1 police officers as well as neighbors that are proactive on reporting crime and concerns.

PITTSBURGH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) offer many programs for the safety of residents throughout the city of Pittsburgh. One in particular to mention is the “Cribs for Kids” program. Considering that about 3,500 infant deaths occur every year in the U.S. due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Pittsburgh EMS is partnering with the Cribs for Kids National Public Safety Initiative. This community safety program provides safe sleep tips and free portable cribs to families in need. For more information, please contact Cribs for Kids at 412-322-5680. They also offer services to show you how to install car seats properly in your vehicle and can provide proper car seats for families in need. For more information on this service, please contact the non-emergency line for Pittsburgh EMS at 412-622-6930. As always, please check in with your elderly and disabled neighbors for any assistance needs.

David Stacy is the president of the Northside Public Safety Council. (NPSC). Please contact NPSC for more information or details by phone at 412-321-0295 or via email: zone1psc@gmail.com. Regular NPSC meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month starting at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held at the Manchester Citizens Corporation, 1319 Allegheny Ave., 15233.