Pittsburgh Police Will No Longer Respond to 911 Calls Involving Thefts, Harassment, and Burglary Alarms Due to Staffing Shortages After Former Mayor Froze Police Hiring in Response to the BLM Riots in 2020
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has announced a significant change in its response protocol due to ongoing staffing shortages.
As of February 26, 2024, officers will no longer respond in person to certain non-emergency calls, including reports of theft, harassment, criminal mischief, and most burglary alarms.
Instead, these incidents will be directed to an enhanced Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU), where residents can file reports over the phone.
This unit will operate between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., including weekends, and will handle reports via phone for non-violent incidents that do not require immediate police presence.
Additionally, the department has announced that no officers will be stationed at any of the six police zones between the hours of 3 a.m.
