“It works because people want it to work,” said Raymond Baum, president of the “Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition."
Pittsburgh Police agree; that's the foundation of a safe community.
“Build these bonds with the people and it bares fruit,” said Zone Five Cmdr. Timothy O’Connor.
But, how do you do it? Channel 11 went looking for answers in three of the statistically-safest communities in Pittsburgh: Squirrel Hill North, North Oakland and Stanton Heights. It's based on how much crime there is for every 100 people.
We begin in Stanton Heights where Barry Werber, Vice President of the Neighborhood Association says, cops are key.
“Not only (a) working relationship but friend, friend relationship,” said Werber.
“They trust you and they tell you things that they wouldn't otherwise,” said O’Connor.
Barry says that trust stems from neighborhood watches, community meetings and something as simple as a meal.
“Feed them and they will come,” said Werber. “They come in; they have a fish sandwich and say, ‘where have you guys been?’ We've been here all along,” said Werber.
That couldn't be truer at our next stop. As we were driving through North Oakland, we just happened to stumble upon Cece's Farm Stand. It’s an amazing group of people offering a warm meal and a step in the right direction
Tricia Booth helps run the cookout on Wednesdays at Pittsburgh Community Services.
“We're trying to help people out from poverty,” said Booth.
She told me it's been a recipe for success.
“If you take care of the little things then…the people will be more proud of where they are,” said North Oakland resident Hanson Kappelman.
And in Squirrel Hill North, Andy Dlinn says his Citizens Patrol is all about stopping the little things before they grow.
“Keep moving and keep looking,” said Dlinn.
Andy says when residents stop looking, that's when crime wins.
“The fact that nothing is going on is because you're out there,” said Dlinn.
Rounding out the Top 5 "Safest Communities" in Pittsburh are Swisshelm Park and New Homestead.
Swisshelm Park had just 43 total crimes last year.
New Homestead had only 16.
5 Safest Neighborhoods
1. New Homestead (1.6 crimes per 100 citizens)
2. Squirrel Hill North (2.5 crimes per 100 citizens)
3. Swisshelm Park (3.2 crimes per 100 citizens)
4. North Oakland (3.3 crimes per 100 citizens)
5. Stanton Heights (3.4 crimes per 100 citizens)
5 Least-Safe Neighborhoods
1. North Shore (108.3 crimes per 100 citizens)
2. Strip District (49.2 crimes per 100 citizens)
3. Central Business District (48.4 crimes per 100 citizens)
4. West End (37.8 crimes per 100 citizens)
5. Allegheny Center (32.8 crimes per 100 citizens)
Neighborhoods with Most Homicides
1. Homewood North (5)
2. Homewood South (4)
2. Larimer (4)
4. Beltzhoover (3)
4. East Hills (3)
Neighborhoods with Most Rapes
1. Shadyside (5)
2. East Liberty (4)
2. Garfield (4)
4. Southside Flats (3)
4. Knoxville (3)
4. Allentown (3)
4. Central Business District (3)
4. Central Oakland (3)
4. Lincoln Lemington Belmar (3)
4. Morningside (3)
5 Neighborhoods with Most Robberies
1. Central Business District (57)
2. East Liberty (49)
3. Carrick (48)
3. South Side Flats (48)
5. East Allegheny (35)
5 Neighborhoods with Most Aggravated Assaults
1. Homewood North (61)
2. Homewood South (55)
3. South Side Flats (51)
4. Carrick (45)
4. East Liberty (45)
5 Neighborhoods with Most Burglaries
1. Carrick (117)
2. Shadyside (94)
2. Sheraden (94)
4. Mount Washington (58)
5. Brookline (56)
5 Neighborhoods with Most Thefts
1. Central Business District (740)
2. South Side Flats (516)
3. Shadyside (380)
4. Squirrel Hill South (284)
5. East Liberty (273)
5 Neighborhoods with Most Motor Vehicle Thefts
1. Carrick (31)
2. South Side Flats (26)
3. Homewood North (24)
3. Homewood South (24)
5. Central Business District (22)