Pittsburgh Police working to improve relationship with local youth sports

PITTSBURGH — This Saturday is a big game for Lincoln Youth Sports as they play a hometown rival for the first time in 15 years.

With that comes big crowds, and they are hopeful that police will hold up their promises to attend to and protect the community.

“I hope this is the start of a beautiful relationship, like I mean keep dating me, don’t stop. Keep doing the things you are doing to get me here,” said Aaron Strader who’s the VP of Lincoln Youth Sports.

The partnership between youth football leagues and Pittsburgh Police got off to a rocky start.

“We had a game, made a call to the cops to be there at the game, and they didn’t show up and a shooting occurred,” Strader said.

That was less than two weeks ago, and now Pittsburgh Police are making changes to hold themselves accountable.

“Throughout the course of the season they have with football games, we will have officers engaging with parents and the community at these games each weekend,” said Linda Barone who’s the Assistant Chief with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

Officers will also, when possible, stop by practices on weekdays. Not just to patrol, but to engage with the kids and build relationships. Both sides believe opening this door of communication is the best answer, but no situation is perfect as staffing shortages can impact the coverage.

“Would I like to have an officer at each neighborhood? Would I like to have an officer at each corner? I certainly would, but that’s just not realistic. What we do have, whenever we feel we have a large game this Saturday, it’s exciting because it’s going to draw a lot of communities together, but we will call on our partners — law enforcement, state police, county, the sheriffs,” Barone said.

There is no requirement for police or security to be at these games, but police believe the presence will help put parents’ minds at ease.

“People always say no one was hurt but people won’t forget that the constant reminder, the repetition — it’s a constant deterrent. As long as they hold up their end, we will be good,” Strader said.

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