Zone Two
Crime Reduction Strategy
2014-2017
Prepared by
Commander Eric L. Holmes
December 31, 2013
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OVERVIEW
On behalf of Zone Two, it is with great pleasure that I present to you our Crime Reduction Strategy for (20142017). This strategy is designed to reach our goal of reducing overall crime in Zone Two.
The members of Zone Two deserve to be commended for a job well done in 2013. Their hard work has set the
foundation for all of us, police and community alike, to realize our shared vision of a safer Zone Two.
For the past sixteen months I have been assigned as the Commander of Zone Two and in that time Zone Two
has made significant progress in reducing chronic crime and disorder, but we have much more to accomplish.
The following report provides an in-depth understanding of our approach to fighting crime and to re-aligning
our goals and policing strategy so that our efforts fall in line with the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police overall
mission. Our policing strategy is built on the character of this city, a city of diverse neighborhoods.
The police team here at Zone Two, along with residents, businesses, faith based organizations, educational
institutions and neighborhood groups will continue to work together to address crime and disorder problems.
Our goal is nothing short of making every neighborhood in Zone Two safe through our collective actions.
This report provides my vision of Zone Two’s Crime Reduction Strategy, an examination of the nature of crime
in Zone Two, and my strategic vision with goals and strategies set for the years 2014 -2017.
There are three phases in the development of Zone Two’s Strategic Crime Reduction vision:
1) Define our operational strategy and establish internal performance measures
2) Pilot initiatives; establish a policing model appropriate for addressing crime and disorder in Zone Two and
3) Establish goals, strategies and actions based on our neighborhood policing model.
These three phases will be reviewed so there is accountability in order for us to meet our vision at Zone Two.
In Zone Two our neighborhood based policing model incorporates the best elements from traditional law
enforcement, community policing, hot spot policing, intelligence led policing, and other evidence-based
practices. Our strategy will continue to be dynamic, flexible and will be designed to respond to short-term
demands, while institutionalizing long term strategies that promote sustainability around public safety.
Our plan at Zone Two is the next step in advancing our crime prevention and crime reduction mission. It also
acknowledges the critical role that our partners play in making Zone Two safe. Public safety is a shared
responsibility. All of us, residents, businesses, community organizations, faith based organizations and other
city services, must work together.
Each day here at Zone Two we are guided by our principles of intelligent policing, collaboration, prevention
and continuous improvement in operations. Over the past 12 months we have made significant progress in
reducing violent crime and adopting a neighborhood-based approach to policing.
The dedicated men and women of Zone Two both sworn and civilian are to be congratulated for making our
zone and our city safer.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is a holistic document that describes a comprehensive strategy for reducing the number of
homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies, burglaries, drug violations, illegal weapons possession and thefts in
Zone Two as well as addressing “Quality of Life” crimes.
In developing this Crime Reduction Strategy for Zone Two, I examined the historical and current trends in Part
1 and Part 2 crimes. In doing so I found that a disproportionate number of these crimes are committed within a
limited number of neighborhoods / sectors in Zone Two.
The violent Part 1 crimes are committed by young men who are members of loose-knit violent groups within
those neighborhoods and Part 2 crimes are committed by a criminal looking for an opportunity.
To address this problem, I have devised a strategy that targets our crime suppression and deterrence efforts in
those neighborhoods / sectors and against those violent neighborhood-based groups. As well as those who
habitually commit ‘Quality of Life” crimes.
At Zone Two we will employ a diverse and effective set of crime fighting strategies to accomplish our goals.
These strategies are based on the guiding principles and our understanding of the nature and extent of crime in
Zone Two and on the needs and aspirations of the community, as expressed in a series of Commander on Your
Corner Events, Commander Fireside Chats and a Commander Town Hall meeting that was held in 2013.
There were common themes that came across at the above mentioned events. Residents, business owners and
concerned citizens want the police in Zone Two to stop the violence that is in certain neighborhoods, eliminate
illegal drug markets, get illegal guns off the streets, increase police visibility, foot and bike patrols in certain
neighborhoods and address Quality of Life issues.
This strategy has the following five components:
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
Suppression: The strategy commits Zone Two officers to a quarterly schedule by which we
identify a neighborhood, target its violent offenders, assign the 99 Unit, Zone plainclothes and
certain officers to undertake the investigation, and then conduct a “take down” involving the arrest
of numerous violent offenders in that neighborhood. This suppression effort will complement our
ongoing monthly crime strategy.

Deterrence: It adopts a multilevel deterrence program that markets the example established by
our take downs of targeted violent groups to deter members of other groups from engaging in
similar violence and other crimes.

Intervention: It expands on a number of programs already in place to include direct interaction
with the Commander and other members of Zone Two at: community meetings, faith based
organization events, cultural programs, educational institutions, outreach programs, and crime
prevention events.

Investigation: It initiates steps to enhance the capabilities of the Zone Two detectives and 99 unit
so they can investigate crimes aggressively and effectively. Also continue working with our law
enforcement partners in Zone Two such as: Point Park University PD, Duquesne University PD,
Allegheny County Port Authority PD, UPMC Security, Point State Park Rangers as well as
Probation and Parole.

Prosecution: Assist the Allegheny County DA’s Office, City of Pittsburgh Disruptive Property
Office, City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Building Inspection, City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and
Animal Care and Control Office with investigations.
With this strategy implementation, we will have positioned ourselves to achieving a lasting reduction in the
number of crimes in Zone Two.
ZONE TWO HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
I am honored to be the commander of Zone Two which is located on Center Avenue in the Hill District. Zone
Two is home to the city’s Central Business District, Government Center, educational institutions and houses of
worship. It includes some of our city’s most recognized and cherished landmarks, as well as some of the city’s
most interesting and diverse neighborhoods. But most importantly Zone Two is home to a wonderful mix of
people.
Zone Two is a zone within a zone. During the day the population of Zone Two expands to an additional 100,000
plus people who work in the Central Business District.
The following neighborhoods are served by Zone Two.
Bedford Dwellings
Bluff
Central Business District
Central Lawrenceville
Crawford Roberts
Lower Lawrenceville
Middle Hill
Polish Hill
Strip District
Terrace Village
Upper Hill
Upper Lawrenceville
ZONE TWO 2013 SNAPSHOT
Square Miles: 5.0
Population Served: 32,895
Sworn Personnel Assigned: 87
Calls for Service: 82,529
Park and Walks completed: 4,833
Traffic Stops completed: 4,397
Arrest: 2,158
Over the past year crime has declined in the Hill District section of Zone Two. In part due to the demolition of
the Elmore Square, White Side Road and Reed Roberts developments in the Hill District, as well as our
community outreach efforts.
Also in the vigilant efforts of Zone Two Officers and the citizens of Pittsburgh who live in Zone Two working
together, I am pleased to announce that we have realized a decline in many Part I and Part 2 Crimes in Zone
Two. (In both raw numbers and per capita crime rate)
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Our strategy has reflected a commitment to working in collaboration with residents, businesses, faith based
organizations, city agencies, educational institutions and other law enforcement agencies to address crime and
disorder problems in Zone Two. We will continue to meet this commitment through our comprehensive
neighborhood policing strategy.
Zone Two will employ effective crime fighting strategies to accomplish our mission. Community policing is the
philosophy of Zone Two. Priorities and crime fighting tactics will vary by neighborhood and will be built in
collaboration with crime watch groups, residents, businesses, and concerned citizens.
The community policing philosophy is our orientation, and the guiding principles are the doctrine that will
guide our work. It is the promise of how we will reduce disorder and fight to prevent crime.
Intelligent Policing:
Our strategies and tactics are guided by data, information, intelligence and evidenced-based practices. In
today’s economy, we must be smart and judicious about allocating police resources. Saturation patrol is only
one way to prevent or reduce a rising crime problem. We must understand what works, how it works, when it
works, and where it works. The answers to these questions provide the foundation for “evidence-based”
policing strategies which will be used in Zone Two.
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Collaboration:
Policing is a community responsibility. Neighbors, parents, youth, citizens, business owners, faith based
organizations, city employees, school employees and teachers all play a role in making Zone Two safer. We
have worked diligently over the past year to create the kind of partnerships necessary to transform
neighborhoods and sustain our progress in Zone Two.
Prevention:
The ultimate goal of policing is to prevent crime and disorder from occurring in the first place. Fighting Crime
and Disorder alone will not make the residents of Zone Two feel safe. Thus, Zone Two will continue to dedicate
resources to prevent crime and disorder from occurring in the first place. But prevention is also the work of
families, schools, the clergy, the courts, public and private social service agencies and the business community.
Knowing this, Zone Two will share, as appropriate, its information and expertise with these entities so that
everyone will know how to prevent crime and disorder from occurring. A sense of security arises from feeling
safe in one’s home, in school or at work, on the street, and in the neighborhood. Everyone deserves the
opportunity to feel safe in his or her neighborhood in Zone Two.
Continuous Improvement:
Zone Two will continue to review Bureau policy and procedures to ensure that our public safety activities are
efficiently and effectively driving toward mission accomplishment. This means that I will continually look for
best practices and direct the supervisors to adapt what works to our situation here in Zone Two.
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INTRODUCING A NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED APPROACH TO POLICING
A neighborhood based approach to policing is our approach at Zone Two. The philosophy of neighborhood
policing drives how we organize and deliver police response and services. Residents and police in Zone Two
are working together to make their neighborhoods a place where all people can live without fear. This is not just
the rhetoric of community policing; this is the reality of neighborhood transformation, and it’s based on a
different way of thinking about time and space.
Zone Two is geographically divided into twelve neighborhoods. Within each neighborhood, is smaller
geographical subdivisions called Sectors. Sector officers are now responsible for patrolling the same area, day
in and day out, bringing greater community contact, familiarity and involvement.
The Sector Service Area (SSA) is the foundation on which our neighborhood policing strategy is based.
The key elements of the SSA structure are:
1. SSA Integrity – Officers stay in their SSA responding to calls for service, getting to know the people who
live, work, play and commit crime in their SSA, and working on crime and disorder problems in their SSA.
2. SSA Problem Solving – Officers will have the flexibility to complete problem solving and are expected to
work with community partners to solve crime and disorder problems.
3. SSA Community Meetings – Lieutenants, Sergeants and officers attend meetings involving the community
and other Zone Two stakeholders.
4. SSA Plan – A plan will be developed in conjunction with partners based on chronic crime and disorder
problems such as the Hill District Crime Reduction Plan with the Housing Authority of Pittsburgh.
5. SSA Crime Analysis and Intelligence – I request and use crime analysis and intelligence reports provided
by Det. Deb Gilkey and Det. Denise DeMarco of the PBP Intelligence Unit.
6. SSA Meetings – I hold supervisors meetings with Zone Two shift Lieutenants and Sergeants discuss crime
trends. Zone Two supervisors then at their roll calls discuss crime trends with the officers under their command.
The purpose is to develop, assess, and be updated on crime fighting efforts.
7. Coordinated City Services – I hold “Commander on Your Corner” and “Commander Fire Side Chats”
throughout the various Zone Two neighborhoods. This effort is to bring everyone involved in public safety to
one location so that city services are delivered in a coordinated effort as we address chronic crime and disorder
problems in Zone Two. Those involved include: BBI, DPW, Animal Care / Control and the Disruptive Property
Office.
Zone Two’s neighborhood-based policing model requires that lieutenants, sergeants and officers understand the
specific crime problems in their assigned area and develop the appropriate actions to address them in
partnership with the community.
The following are the Zone Two neighborhoods and patrol sectors:
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NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown/Central Business District
SECTOR
1&2
Bluff/Uptown
5
Crawford-Roberts
4
Terrace Village/Oakhill
6
Middle Hill/Bedford Dwellings
7
Sugar Top/Upper Hill
8
Strip District/Lower Lawrenceville
3
Polish Hill
3
Central/Upper Lawrenceville
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Zone Two Crime Reduction activities will also focus on people, places or situations.
We know that crime reduction in general is focused on existing criminals, crime locations and situations. We at
Zone Two rely heavily on information and intelligence which describes those people, places and situations in
great deal that we should focus on.
With that said here at Zone Two we will continue to explore the following questions:


What are the characteristics of the offenders, and the factors that support their criminal activity?
What are the patterns of criminal activity – the frequency, times, locations, targets, and circumstances of
the activity?
In crafting our Crime Reduction strategy that will reduce the criminal activity in Zone Two, a number of our
law enforcement partners are involved, and we recognize the timeliness and integration of our response is
important. Examples of crime reduction that we will use include:



Prolific offender management is a people-oriented strategy that focuses on offenders who are seen as
the generators of the most offences. Generally, about 10 % of offenders are believed responsible for
about 50% of the crime.
Targeting crime "hot spots" or geographic areas where there are high levels of crime, is primarily a
place-oriented strategy. This could include increasing police presence or applying saturation patrol
principles. Hot spot strategies can align with people-oriented strategies.
Managing major public gatherings that have a history of problems such as public intoxication,
accidents and fights, is a situational strategy. Careful planning of the event from a crime reduction
perspective would involve event organizers, police, and other Zone Two stakeholders. Examples would
be First Night, 4th of July, Light up Night, etc.
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The goal is to address factors in offenders' lives that can increase their likelihood of offending, such as drug or
alcohol use, and ensure an effective response when they reoffend or relapse.
 For example offenders who have court-ordered restrictions on where they can be, when they can be out,
and who they can associate with, may be checked by police, probation and parole more frequently in hot
spots, thus discouraging attendance.
We are incorporating all of our Crime Reduction efforts into one comprehensive strategy. We are developing a
Crime Reduction structure from the commander to the first year officer. We are using systems in place that
work best in an effort to get the best results.
The goals of this strategic policing model for Zone Two are as follows:
Reduce Calls for Service
Prevent Crime and Criminal Victimization
Improve Officer Accessibility and Accountability
Reduce Disturbance and Disorder “Quality of Life” calls
Allow for Proactive Policing
Stem Encroaching Crime
Build Neighborhood Sustainability
Enhance the Sense of Safety and Security in Public Spaces (Central Business District)
Improve Police / Community Partnerships and Collaborations with our Stakeholders
ZONE TWO OVERALL CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Insure the timely delivery of police services by Zone Two Officers.
Make Zone Two Officers more visible.
Prevent, deter, or solve crimes and incidents at the patrol level more frequently in Zone Two.
Identify persons and properties causing recurring problems more quickly and devise plans of actions to
abate their impact on the community in Zone Two.
5. Continue to engage the Zone Two community in crime and disorder reduction efforts.
ZONE TWO OVERALL CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY
It is a simple fact: when police and communities work together, our neighborhoods and our city are safer. As
you are well aware that is the underlying principle of community policing – what we call “Community Oriented
Policing” in the City of Pittsburgh “Community Oriented Policing” remains the overall guiding philosophy of
the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
Since its inception and evolution over the years in the City of Pittsburgh, community policing has contributed to
dramatic reductions in crime and improvements in public safety in the City of Pittsburgh. And I have every
confidence that community policing will continue to serve our city and Zone Two well in the future.
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But community policing is not a static philosophy, nor is it a “one size fits all” approach that can be applied the
same to each and every neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh in general and in particular Zone Two.
Neighborhood crime problems are different. And the resources available to deal with those problems differ
from neighborhood to neighborhood.
For community policing to achieve its full potential here in Zone Two, we must be flexible in how we
implement the strategy – neighborhood by neighborhood, even block by block. We must come to understand the
specific problems confronting each of the neighborhoods and we must be both diligent and creative in how we
go about solving those problems, using the full range of resources at our disposal.
In short, we must tailor our community policing strategy in Zone Two to meet the unique needs of our varying
neighborhoods. This style of “customized community policing” holds great promise to continue – and extend –
the gains in public safety that our city has achieved in recent years.
We must continue to address “Quality of Life” issues and evolving crime trends each day on each shift.
To this end I implemented a “Patrol Sector of the Month” program in 2013. This program will replaced and
build off of the “Crime Strategy” program as outlined in CZ-08-240 as well as the Sector Service Area (SSA)
style of community policing as outlined above.
Each shift had to pick a “patrol sector of the month” to address “Quality of Life” issues or other evolving crime
trends on the rotating bases. The location(s) picked are addressed for the given month with the officers assigned
to the patrol sector(s) of the neighborhood / sectors in particular.
The scheduled Lieutenant for the crime strategy of the month is responsible for notifying all Zone Two
supervisors of the month’s project in reducing crime. All lieutenants work in conjunction with the outlined
strategy and inform those under their command of the strategy and process for reducing crime.
For community policing to succeed in Zone Two, each officer needs to fully embrace this philosophy and get
actively involved in crime prevention beginning with their patrol sectors.
One of the police officer’s objectives in Zone Two is to eliminate at least one of the elements of the crime
triangle each and every day, over and over again, by employing basic crime fighting strategies.
The Zone Two Crime Reduction Strategy builds upon the neighborhood enforcement approach and the fine
work of the men and woman assigned to Zone Two as well as working in collaboration with our public safety
partners as outlined below:
Department Name
Point Park University Police Department
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Department Name
Duquesne University Police Department
Port Authority Police Department
US Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs Police Department
Pittsburgh Public Schools Police Department
Point State Park Rangers
University of Pittsburgh Police Department
UPMC Hospital Security Departments
We can only fight crime once we understand it. That means we must drill down deeper to understand where
crime is occurring and when. It is only then that a crime fighting strategy can be tailored to maximize resources
and impact.
What Works:







Increased directed patrol
Proactive field interviews and investigations
Aggressive and continuous investigations of serious crime
Proactive traffic enforcement
Dealing with community priorities
Low tolerance of disorder and “Quality of Life” issues-(Broken Windows Policing)
Courteous and professional police response
Every Case is a Big Case:
Our philosophy at Zone Two is don’t always be looking for the “big” arrest and forsake the “little” ones. All
arrests, including citations for nuisance crimes, help to deter crime and slow predator activity. Disrupting the
business of the drug trade and other criminal enterprises is an effective crime suppression method. If crime
doesn’t pay well in Zone Two and the risk of continuing illicit activity is high, criminals will move on.
Patrol Emphasis on:



Quality of Life Enforcement – increase the ratio of citations to warnings.
Problem Solving – Evictions, Nuisance Property Abatement, Problem Bars, Problem People, Interrupt
Drug Trade, Make Positive Contacts with people.
Hot Spot Policing – Maintain high visibility in problem areas.
Steps include:
1. Making crime and disorder reduction the central focus of our policy plan.
2. Imparting responsibility for crime and disorder abatement to Zone Two patrol officers, Zone Two 99
Unit, Zone Two Plainclothes, and Zone Two supervisors working in specific geographical areas within
Zone Two.
3. Empowering Zone Two Officers to take action without unnecessary bureaucratic interference.
4. Identifying specific locations and persons within Zone Two who account for a disproportionate amount
of police attention, either by repeat calls for service or by acts of crime and disorder.
5. Supporting Zone Two Officers in using their problem-solving skills to eradicate, diminish, mitigate, and
remove problems from Zone Two neighborhoods.
6. Continue to partner with neighborhood associations, other law enforcement agencies, faith based
organizations, educational institutions and citizens to set priorities and increase the network of Zone
Two stakeholders.
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7. Continue to foster better police-community relations by creating a shared vision for safety and security,
providing education and training, and constantly engaging in dialogue to identify problems and
challenges and possible solutions in Zone Two.
8. Continue to maximize the percentage of police officers actively engaged in street level crime and
reduction activities in Zone Two.
ZONE TWO CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY SNAPSHOT AND MATRIX
Intelligent Policing Strategies
1. We will continue to aggressively investigate and arrest those with illegal weapons for violation of the
Uniformed Firearms Act.
2. Continue to review crime trends and identify the most violent sectors and develop targeted enforcement
strategies.
3. Continue to have each shift lieutenant develop a monthly crime reduction strategy for each shift
4. Begin to have Zone Two detectives respond to scenes when appropriate to start their initial investigation
5. Have members of the PBP Intel Unit, Probation and, Patrol complete Ride A Longs
6. It is well known that crime and disorder patterns change with the seasons. Accordingly, shift supervisors
will incorporate in their monthly crime strategies seasonal plans as well.
7. Order maintenance theories, such as “Broken Windows”, are effective tools for police and communities
to reclaim and maintain neighborhoods.
8. Traffic offenses in the Zone Two neighborhoods are not only a direct safety hazard but also negatively
impact the Quality of Life. Zone Two will continue to address traffic issues and work with SDD
Collaboration Strategies
1. Zone Two will continue to work with community based organizations such as Lawrenceville United,
Uptown Partners, Neighbors in the Strip, Hill District Consensus Group and Polish Hill Civic Group.
2. Zone Two will continue to have members of Allegheny County Probation, Pennsylvania State Parole
complete Ride -A-longs with Zone Two officers
3. Zone Two will continue to work with our law enforcement partners.
4. Neighborhood watches are effective tools and can help abate crime and disorder. Zone Two will
continue to partner and work with the Zone Two Public Safety Council
5. At Zone Two we recognize that many conditions facilitate crime and disorder in our communities that
require actions of other city government departments. These include graffiti removal, trash removal,
additional street lighting, addressing disruptive properties, and sealing up abandoned buildings. We will
continue to work with DPW, DPO, BBI, 311 Call Center and others to ensure that conditions
contributing to crime and disorder are handled with urgency.
6. Zone Two is a zone of unique neighborhoods with very different characteristics and traits. Officers at
Zone Two must be aware of this to be effective at their job. Therefore, starting in 2014 new officers
assigned to Zone Two will be required to attend at least (1) one community meeting in each Zone Two
neighborhood with MPO Marlease Porter the Zone Two Community Resource Officer. The objective of
this program will be to familiarize new Zone Two officers with the communities we serve and for
communities to better know the officers.
7. Two universities are located in Zone Two and they must be a part of Zone Two’s overall plan at
addressing crime and disorder. I will continue to meet with and work with the Chiefs of Police at Point
Park University and Duquesne University to continue our efforts of addressing Quality of Life issues
with students. Also I will continue our ongoing partnerships that have worked in unison with Zone Two
toward the common goal of safety.
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Prevention Strategies
1. Children need positive activities after school, in the evening and on the weekends. Accordingly, Zone
Two will help encourage participation in existing programs and will work in collaboration with the City
of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation, Thelma Lovette YMCA, West Penn Recreation
Center and Lawrenceville Boys and Girls Club. Zone Two will continue to build relationships with
churches, community based organizations, and service organizations such as FOCUS Pittsburgh.
2. Surveillance cameras are excellent tools to document and prosecute criminals, but their mere presence
has a dramatic deterrent effect, thus preventing crime in areas of Zone Two. It is my hope that we will
be able to expand the current amount of cameras in Zone Two.
3. Many people unknowingly put themselves at risk of criminal victimization. It is important for the
citizens of Zone Two to know how to protect themselves from becoming a victim. Hence, we at Zone
Two will continue to provide preventive information on a regular and consistent basis through
community outreach at meetings, website, internet and events such as Commander on Your Corner and
the through the monthly “Lunch and Learn” Crime Prevention power point series.
Continuous Improvement Strategies
1. An essential element of continuous improvement is measuring performance as assessed by the people
we serve in Zone Two. Therefore, we are in the process at Zone Two of having stakeholders take part in
the first Zone Two Crime Prevention survey. This is so that we can measure the sense of safety and
security among the residents and their degree of satisfaction with our police services. The results of this
first survey will be released in early March.
2. Every day is a training day at Zone Two. This means that roll call training, instructional videos, and
training announcements will be easily accessible to the members of Zone Two.
3. Law enforcement is a profession and the members of Zone Two are professionals. As such, officers are
encouraged and supported in their ongoing professional development through attending training,
professional conferences, completing rotations within the Zone Two detective unit and plainclothes unit.
4. As part of my ongoing efforts to improve our service at Zone Two I will continue to seek suggestions
and recommendations from the officers and supervisors. These suggestions and recommendations will
be reviewed if implemented to see if they are working.
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ZONE TWO “99 Unit” CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY
In furtherance of Zone Two’s overall goals of reducing crime, reducing fear and enhancing crime suppression
efforts the Zone Two “99” Unit has been tasked to assist Zone Two officers, therefore, better serving the
citizens of the City of Pittsburgh.
The Zone Two “99” unit is responsible for crime suppression efforts as well as gathering street level Intel
pertaining to organized criminal groups within Zone Two.
The Zone Two “99” Unit supports the anti-gang efforts of the city, as part of the unit's function the unit collects
intelligence on criminal gangs, is observant of gang trends, identifies problem areas, and investigates in a
coordinated effort the City of Pittsburgh’s most violent criminal street gangs for enforcement action within
Zone Two. This will includes participation in all P.I.R.C. efforts.
To achieve its mission, the Zone Two “99” Unit acts in the operational support role for Zone Two uniformed
officers in performance of their duties as well as enforcement of Quality of Life crimes.
The Zone Two “99” Unit provides additional manpower and resources as needed for events, special details and
other duties as assigned.
While monitoring the activities of traditional and non-traditional criminal groups, the Zone Two “99” Unit also
monitors crimes by less well-known non-traditional organized crime groups and criminal elements.
In the course of their duties, the Zone Two“99” Unit works at solving emerging crime trends in Zone Two. This
is done through various investigative techniques; impact patrols, directed patrols, targeted enforcement and
short term investigations to include the execution of search warrants.
The Zone Two “99” Unit Investigative Process:
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ZONE TWO BIKE UNIT CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY
The PBP Bicycle Unit began in 1994, with two officers assigned to patrol the Central Business District. Today,
highly trained and equipped officers provide year round service and are an integral part of our overall City of
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police “Community Policing” strategy.
Being a bicycle officer is a strenuous job that requires both physical fitness and keen mental awareness. Officers
go through a rigorous program and then retain their proficiency through work related cycling and advanced
quarterly training. It is imperative that we utilize this investment and critical community policing tool in the
most effective way possible.
The bicycle officer's greatest assets are mobility within densely populated urban districts, high visibility and
their accessibility to the public.
The Zone Two Bike Unit provides Public Safety Services primarily in the Central Business District.
ZONE TWO HILL DISTRICT CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGY
The Zone Two Hill District Crime Reduction Strategy employs an ongoing focus that allows for intelligence
gathering, targeted patrols, proactive and visual deterrence operations and long term enforcement as necessary
to sustain a safe environment in the Bedford Dwellings, Oak Hill, Upper Hill and Uptown Areas of Zone Two.
The mission of this operation is to ensure that those who live and work in this area can do so in a safe crime free
environment.
The Zone Two “Hill District / Uptown Saturation Strategy” provides for enforcement of quality of life issues,
drug activity and violent crimes while increasing the officer citizen interaction in a positive manner. There is
zero tolerance for open containers, loitering / trespassing, illegal use of narcotics, sales of narcotics and
possession of illegal weapons.
The Zone Two Hill District / Uptown Saturation Detail Plan focuses on four (4) key areas:
o
Increased Visibility by Uniformed Police and Plainclothes Personnel
o
Violation of Defiant Trespassing
o
Open Use and Sales of Illegal Narcotics
o
Use of and possession of (both legal and illegal) Firearms to Commit Violent Crimes
Other infractions of the Zone Two Hill District / Uptown Saturation Plan include:
Infraction
Excessive Noise Disturbances
Disorderly Conduct
Prostitution in the Uptown
Open Container Laws
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Infraction
Illegal Parking
Littering
Public Intoxication
Traffic violations
The goal of this saturation detail is to create a positive culture of conduct and an environment that is enjoyed by
all stakeholders.
Summary
The Zone Two Hill District / Uptown Saturation Detail are designed to focus patrol activities throughout the
Hill District and Uptown on various violations of the law and Pittsburgh City Code that adversely affect the
quality of life for all citizens.
The Saturation Detail is flexible based on crime stats, calls for service and emerging crime trends; but, at its
core will be measured by the real effectiveness of the reduction on overall crime toward a positive environment
for all stakeholders.
Participation in this style of policing will remove the criminal element from the targeted areas while providing a
safe and secure environment for everyone
Concept of Operations

Zone Two has engaged in an extensive and comprehensive strategy to maintain a positive quality of life
environment in the Historic Hill District and Uptown sections of the City of Pittsburgh.

This strategy includes proactive, innovative and time tested methods to address the criminal element.

The strategy provides for an ongoing and fluid implementation to provide for maximum effectiveness
and flexibility in resource deployment.

This plan works in concert with current Pittsburgh Bureau of Police enforcement strategies to augment
those entities, strategic plans and priorities.

The strategy includes the following levels of progression and enforcement:
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
Level One Enforcement
A noticeably visible police presence in the Hill District to include the Bedford
Dwellings, Bentley Drive, Oak Hill and Uptown areas of Zone Two.

Identify non-residents of the Pittsburgh Housing Authority Property.

Identify the “Hot Spots” of the designated target areas.

Identify positions of surveillance to identify illegal activities and ongoing
intelligence gathering.


Quality of Life Crime Enforcement
Level Two Enforcement
Active Surveillance with observations relayed to uniformed officers.

Enforcement of non-residents (trespassing laws).

Probation / Parole Checks

Illegal Drug Enforcement with the use of Confidential Informants.

Level Three Enforcement
Execution of Search Warrants secured during this investigation.

Execution of Arrest Warrants secured during this investigation.
This Crime Reduction Strategy for Zone Two is a step in the process of Crime Prevention. The sergeants and
lieutenants here at Zone Two have to be and are champions for these strategies. They are the ones responsible
for ensuring that the words in the document are given life and action is taken to realize our goals.
Action will not and cannot wait. Many of these strategies are already taking place here in Zone Two and in
early 2014 we will embark on focusing on the rest. At the same time I have been and will continue to monitor
the outcomes.
No community prospers or even survives long without safety. Safety is why people come together in Zone Two.
Conclusion
The essence of the Zone Two Crime Reduction Strategy is the coordinated, pro-active application of law
enforcement authority, and it requires the cooperation of all. We at Zone Two have responded with a strategy
that attacks the crime problem from all fronts and builds upon the fine efforts of the officers assigned to Zone
Two.
This strategy is and will make a difference. The combined approach of suppression and deterrence through the
ongoing cycle of focused policing operations is having an impact on Zone Two’s problem areas. Our
engagement in an array of intervention programs is helping to turn individuals away from a life of crime.
We live in an ever changing world. As a result, the specific actions and tactics of this crime fighting strategy
will change over time. However, our mission, core values and guiding principles will not. Ultimately, we will
be judged not just on the reduction of crime but also on how well we individually and collectively fulfill our
mission.
My promise, as Commander of Zone Two, is to hold myself and every member of Zone Two accountable. I will
work every day to provide the support and leadership to the men and women of this great zone so that together
we can uphold our oath to the citizens of Zone Two.
I believe in this comprehensive strategy, and we at Zone Two have and will continue to commit ourselves and
resources to it for the long term. I am proud of our law enforcement partnerships, private sector partnerships,
faith based partnerships, business partnerships and community partnerships. I expect that our efforts and our
sustained focus on this strategy will continue to reduce the crime rate in Zone Two.
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