Public Safety
Chair: Dennis Downey
Member: Jessica Feldman
One of the primary reasons for the formation of the Shadyside Action Coalition in the early 1970s was a desire by the Shadyside residents to become more aware of their surroundings, and to get to know and work side by side with their neighbors to decrease criminal activity. Public safety in our neighborhood remains a primary concern today. The Public Safety Committee is currently focusing on assisting groups of neighbors to develop formal communication networks via the Block Watch Program. In addition, members of the committee meet regularly with City law enforcement officials and pubic safety leaders in neighboring communities. This networking activity and the monitoring of crime trends across both the City and our neighborhood allows the Public Safety Committee to educate the residents of our neighborhood regarding safe personal practices and procedures to follow when suspicious behavior is noted. If you are interested in creating a Block Watch Program for your area of Shadyside, then please send us an email at
Be Safe – Be Alert! – update of 1/23/2012:
As you may know there have been a few robberies in our neighborhood the last several days. Please pay attention to your surroundings and stay alert. If you see anything that is out of the ordinary, then please call 911 immediately and report the situation to the police.
We hope to have an update on recent events at our next Shadyside Action Coalition meeting on February 9, 2012.
CRIME ALERT
2012
This crime alert is about five armed robberies that have occurred off campus in the Shadyside and Oakland areas of Pittsburgh. The nature and frequency of these robberies are of great concern, and members of our community should be aware of them and take every precaution to remain safe.
***Incident One: 11:15 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16 at Bellefonte and Elmer streets in Shadyside.
The victim was robbed at gunpoint by two suspects described as black males, 20-21 years of age, wearing ski masks. Suspect one was described as 5’9” and 130 lbs. Suspect two was described as 5’7’’ and 120 lbs. The suspects were looking for laptops and cell phones. They fled on foot following the robbery.
***Incident Two: Approx. 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 in Friendship/Bloomfield neighborhoods.
The victims were robbed at gunpoint by two suspects described as black males, around high school age, and around 6 feet tall. The suspects were described as wearing hooded sweatshirts. The suspects were looking for cash and cell phones. They fled on foot following the robbery.
***Incident Three: 12:20 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Maryland Ave. and Elmer St. in Shadyside.
There were two suspects. Suspect one was described as a white male wearing a black bandana, armed with a silver handgun. Suspect two could not be described. Suspect one forced the victim to empty their pockets and fled on foot following the robbery.
***Incident Four: 6:43 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19 at Forbes Ave. and Bigelow Blvd. in Oakland.
There were two suspects described as black males. Suspect one was described as 6’0” with an average build, wearing a dark coat. Suspect two was described as 5’8” with a slender build. A handgun was used and electronic devices were targeted.
***Incident Five: 11 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19 at Walnut St. and College Ave. in Shadyside.
There were two suspects described as black males. Suspect one was described as 5’10’’ and 180 lbs., wearing a knit cap and displaying a black handgun. Suspect two was described as 5’10’’ and 180 lbs. with a silver handgun. Both suspects were wearing dark clothing. The suspects were looking for a wallet and valuables and fled on foot following the robbery.
***Incident Six: 11:24 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19 at Amberson Ave. and Pembroke Place near Shadyside.
There was one suspect described as a black male with a light to medium complexion, thin moustache, 5’10’’ and 160 lbs. The suspect was wearing a ski mask, a black jacket and jeans, and brandished a small black handgun. The suspect was looking for electronic devices and valuables. He fled on foot following the robbery.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is investigating these incidents.
Incidents such as these highlight the necessity to be cautious and alert to your surroundings at all times.
Prevention and Safety Tips:
Do not walk alone at night.
Do not walk with earphones that impede your ability to hear around you.
Do not carry large sums of cash or valuables with you.
Do not resist if being robbed.
Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles to Police.
