PITTSBURGH — A new task force has been formed to deal with violent crime across the Pittsburgh area.
The task force is one of two in the entire country.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it's seeing an increase in violent crime in western Pennsylvania.
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That's why the Department of Justice is now creating the Violent Crimes Task Force based in Pittsburgh.
"It's a proactive measure to address the increasing number of bank robberies, murder for hires, homicide, kidnappings plaguing our area," said Chad Yarborough, assistant special agent in charge. "Bank robberies in Allegheny County are a significant problem. The FBI responded to 51 last year alone."
Now they'll be working more closely with state and local officers to help track down suspects and provide better information to help catch thieves quicker.
FBI investigators said they will bring on four officers from surrounding departments to work with their team.
They said one of the reasons for the increase in violent crime is the opioid epidemic plaguing western Pennsylvania.
The FBI will be working with Shaler police, the Beaver County District Attorney's Office and the Allegheny County Sheriff's Department to help form the new task force.
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