Allegheny County Sheriff's Office 2008. All Rights Reserved

The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office is deeply committed to serving the residents of Allegheny County in as many ways as possible with the limited personnel of the department.  It is our continued intention to provide the best possible service at the lowest possible cost without sacrificing the quality of such services. 

 “As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in Allegheny County, I believe I have a responsibility to take a pro-active approach to fighting crime, and there is no question in my mind that our efforts in Crime Prevention and Community-Oriented Policing are extremely effective in educating our citizens in ways to prevent crime, and avoid being victims of crimes. "

The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office participation in Community Relations, Crime Prevention and Community-Oriented Police Services is quite extensive.  Our programs provide many beneficial services to a large segment of County residents of various age groups on a broad range of law enforcement and safety topics.  Most importantly, perhaps, is our emphasis on citizen involvement in the fight against crime. 

 We in the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office will do everything we can to fight crime and protect our citizens.  And what’s more, in Allegheny County, we have perhaps the best system of local, municipal law enforcement in the whole country.  We are not aware of any community in the United States where local law enforcement is so community-oriented and pro-active as our borough, township and city police officers in Allegheny County.  But short of putting a police officer on every corner of every street in this county, law enforcement officers cannot do the job alone.  We need and want active citizen participation in our Crime Prevention efforts.  Together, we can help ensure that this remains one of the safest communities in America.

CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM  
The Child Identification Program is designed to provide vital information to the guardians of children and law enforcement agencies in the event that a child is reported missing, abducted, or for identification purposes.  It is our goal to work in conjunction with the guardians of children to have pertinent information readily accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide.  The Child Identification Packet includes a recent photograph of the child, fingerprints of both hands, and an updated child history form. 

BILLY THE TALKING BICYCLE & DEPUTY FRIENDLY  
This 40 minute program is intended to educate pre-school, kindergarten, and first grade students about general safety rules such as pedestrian safety, 911 emergency system, stranger danger, and helmet safety.  The objective is for the children to have fun and learn basic safety rules.  It is usually their first look at a police officer up close, so it is very important that the police officer leaves a good impression on them.  They need to know that police officers are their friends and can be counted on to help them when needed.  This program is made available to any pre-school or elementary school in Allegheny County. 

HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT STRANGERS WITHOUT SCARING THEM
This 45 to 60 minute parent education program will assist parents on how to talk with their children about strangers in a non-threatening manner.  We have discovered that if you try to educate a student by scaring them, the learned behavior is fear instead of the material you are teaching.  The Sheriff’s Office in-school program on this subject will be discussed in detail so that the parents can follow-up at home with their children. 

LATCHKEY CHILDREN:  
ARE YOU READY TO LEAVE YOUR CHILD HOME ALONE?  
In this 60 to 90 minute program, parents and their children (age 5 and above) will be invited to attend.  Parents will receive information on why children are left home alone and the positive and negative experiences associated with this decision.  We will discuss guidelines for deciding whether to leave your child home alone, and what your child needs to know before being left home alone.  The children will receive workshop instruction with the Sheriff’s Office, police, fire departments, and from medical rescue personnel.  All instruction for parents and their children is presented in a non-threatening and entertaining manner. 

CHILD ABDUCTION  
This 90 minute program explores ways to prevent a child abduction, describing 31 child abduction prevention tips. 

GUN SAFETY with EDDIE EAGLE  
This 20 minute program emphasizes the importance of “STOP! DON’T TOUCH, LEAVE THE AREA, TELL AN ADULT.”  It stresses to children that guns are not toys, and that, if they find a gun, they should leave the area and seek out a trustworthy adult such as a parent/guardian, neighbor, police officer, firefighter or a teacher who can secure the gun and eliminate a potentially dangerous situation. 

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS  
This 30 minute program teaches children and their parents the safest ways to go trick or treating, such as proper ways to sort through candy, carrying a flashlight, wearing brightly colored clothing, and walking with a grown up. 

HOW NOT TO BE A VICTIM 
This 30 to 90 minute general Crime Prevention Program empowers people to take a closer look at their lifestyles and become aware how they can lessen their chances of becoming a victim of crime.  This instruction can be tailored to fit any group from school-aged children to senior citizens, and will accommodate any time slot available.  This program will explore ways to keep safe at home, at work, when shopping, in your car, walking, using your phone, and when traveling.  This is not a physical defense course, but rather a mental defense course, emphasizing awareness techniques we can use to keep out of trouble. 

HOW TO BE “STREETWISE” AND SAFE 
This 60 to 90 minute crime prevention program will explore ways to empower people to protect themselves and how to join with their neighbors to make their streets safer.  The Sheriff’s Office teaches participants 5 basic rules in being street-smart and safe. 

RAPE PREVENTION  
This program provides women with the knowledge to take an active role in their own personal safety.  We teach risk education, awareness, reporting procedures, use of a defense weaponry, and effective techniques when faced with confrontational situations.  This course will enlighten participants to the problems of violence against women, and the options that are available to reduce the risks of becoming a victim. 

CONS AND FRAUDS:  
HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF A SCAM 
This 60-minute instruction will explore how to recognize the con artist, tips on where and how to get help, and how to deal with a sales person using questionable selling techniques.  Examples of the most common and current scams will be discussed. 

HOME AND BUSINESS SECURITY  
This 60 minute program will explore ways to make your home or workplace a safer place to live or work.  Low-cost, affordable suggestions will be given on door and window security, proper lighting, safety hazards, placement of smoke detectors, and general information on how to shop for alarm systems. 

NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH & BLOCK WATCH  
This program is designed to enhance neighborhood security and heighten community cooperation to encourage mutual assistance and concern among neighbors and their police departments.  The Sheriff’s Office will help organize groups and provide training in the following areas:  Operation ID; Drug Education; Reporting Emergencies; Effective Property Security; Information Gathering for Police; Identifying Cons and Frauds Tactics; Recognizing and reporting unusual and/or suspicious activities and situations. 

SENIOR CITIZEN CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS  
This program will explore and help empower senior citizens to take a closer look at their lifestyles and become aware how they can lessen their chances of becoming a victim of a crime.  This course can be adapted to fit any particular need of any senior group.  Some tips touched upon are:  Being alert when out and about;  Making sure your home is safe and secure; Watching out for con artists, and; Getting involved with the community. 

SECURITY SURVEYS  
This program illustrates the options available to make your home, apartment, or business a safer place to live or work.  The security survey describes opportunity-reduction strategies impacting on crimes against property.  A home, business, or apartment survey includes a questionnaire asking for and providing important crime prevention tips for protecting your home, apartment, or business. 

CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED  
This program will help instruct disabled people to feel less vulnerable to a would be assailant.  This informational program teaches disabled people to stay alert and tuned-in to their surroundings.  They learn to send a message which promotes a calm and confident manner.  Also, we explore ways to make homes safe from intruders, tips on how to plan ahead before going on vacation, and using public transportation.  We strongly encourage community involvement. 

CARJACK PREVENTION  
This program is designed to promote idea’s on how to reduce the risk of being carjacked. 

AUTO THEFT PREVENTION 
A car is stolen every 33 seconds in the United States.  In many cases, a car theft could have been avoided if the proper precautions had been taken.  This 30 to 60 minute program explores ways to help prevent a car theft. 

APARTMENT SECURITY  
This 60 minute program will explore ways to make your apartment a safer place to live for you and your family as well as your neighbors.  We cover low-cost, affordable suggestions which anyone can easily follow, and will assist in the organization of Watch Groups so that neighbors can look out for and help each other. 

THE FATAL VISION PROGRAM  
This program demonstrates how quickly an impaired driver can turn fun into devastating consequences.  The simulator goggles allow participants to experience the visual distortions that result from alcohol or drug impairment.  This is a unique tool which we hope will help prevent injuries and save lives. 

FIREARMS SAFETY  
This program is designed to educate adults about firearms safety rules, firearms for personal security, children and firearms, safe storage, theft prevention, firearms licensing, and the consequences for misuse of a firearm.  We stress the philosophy that safety is an attitude that must constantly be practiced and reinforced when dealing with firearms. 

HUNTER EDUCATION AND SAFETY  
This program is designed to promote safe and ethical habits.  It covers transporting your weapon, proper storing of ammunition and basic courtesies that should be practiced when hunting.  Also, we discuss the regulations for hunting small and large game. 

CRIME PREVENTION TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
This program provides an understanding of opportunity-reduction and its impact on the incidence of crime.  The program will illustrate the evaluations of Crime Prevention programs in the Commonwealth, and their potential value and benefit for the police and the community.  We also explain opportunity-reduction strategies impacting on crimes against persons and properties, and the state-wide technical assistance network.  Each participant will also be given the expertise needed to communicate with the public in an effective manner. 
 

OTHER PROGRAMS  
The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office is continually adding, updating and revising our programs to meet the needs of our citizens and community.  We also welcome and encourage citizens to write us with their comments concerning our programs, and to offer ideas and suggestions as to how we might improve them.