The University’s Community Programs Unit is comprised of community relations and neighborhood resources officers who are committed to building relationships, strengthening community collaborations and making a difference in the lives of others.
Community service initiatives include food drives to support Pitt Pantry and other organizations in helping to combat food insecurity, in addition to participation in Falk Laboratory school safety programs, fundraising and opening ceremony assistance for the Special Olympics and the Adopt-a-Highway roadway clean-up program. The team also participates in National Night Out in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, providing another opportunity to meet and share safety resources with community members.
“I am honored to be a part of this dedicated team of Pitt Police officers,” stated Commander Andrew Redman. “They are motivated, caring and compassionate about giving back to the communities we serve.”
In addition to this outreach, Pitt Police offers educational training to Pitt students, faculty and staff. These programs include safety talks, Citizens Police Academy, and Self-Defense Awareness Familiarization Exchange (SAFE) classes, in addition to resources on safety topics ranging from pedestrian safety and self-defense to crime prevention.
Additionally, the unit responds to community concerns and complaints, like litter and noise, providing opportunities for community-based partnerships, understanding, and engagement to create safer communities and enhance Oakland’s quality of life.
“Our goal is to foster relationships and provide community services that benefit Pitt students, faculty, staff, and Oakland area residents,” said Sergeant Brooke Riley, who oversees the unit. “The Community Programs Unit serves as a bridge to make new connections and strengthen existing ones throughout our campus and surrounding communities.”
At the height of the pandemic, Sergeant Riley shared that she missed interacting directly with community members. With students returning for the fall term, she looks forward to resuming frequent in-person engagement opportunities in the community.
“When we help our students, faculty, staff, and our residents, it is a valuable reminder of why we are here and why we do what we do: To strengthen our communities – from the Pitt community, to our region, and the world around us – by serving everyone with integrity, respect, and fairness,” added Riley.
Learn more on the Pitt Police website.