This past Monday Chief Burton attended an event at the Penn Hills High School honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which was sponsored by Penn Hills Interfaith Ministries and the Penn Hills School District.

The event was held for students and members of the community and paid tribute to Dr. King’s accomplishments toward the civil rights movement. The keynote speaker was Penn Hills NAACP President Joyce Davis.  Chief Burton delivered the “charge” to the audience, closing out the celebration and paying tribute to Dr. King’s legacy.

Recently the Penn Hills Police Department began to participate in the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Take-Back Program, sponsored by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.  The program provides locations for Pennsylvania residents to dispose of unwanted prescription medications (non-liquid).  A blue drop box is conveniently located inside the police station lobby.  Anyone wishing to dispose of medications can come to the police station and do so.  The lobby is open to the public at any time.

“Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.”

A quote by President George H.W. Bush that’s engraved on the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington DC.  It speaks volumes.  A part of that American story he referenced took place on Sunday, December 6, 2009 here in Penn Hills.

Carved into that very wall is the name of a young man who exemplified the meaning of the words “decency” and “protect.”  Michael Crawshaw gave his life while protecting the residents of this community as a police officer.  His story is one of extraordinary courage, honor, integrity and human decency.

Seven years ago on today’s date Michael put on his Penn Hills police uniform and began his tour of duty on the afternoon shift.  He would never make it home that night.  The call he bravely answered would be his last, and will never be forgotten.

We reflect back knowing that the American dream Michael helped to protect was also one he was able to share in, and that was fulfilling his dream of being a police officer.  We are grateful that Michael was able to be a part of our department.

Today we offer our deepest sympathies, thoughts and our prayers to Michael’s family and his friends.  Michael’s legacy here is an inspiration to us all.  He is truly missed.  

The Penn Hills Police Department would like to alert residents to a telephone scam that attempts to convince parents that their child has been kidnapped.  The scam often targets the parents of college students, asking them to pay a ransom for the safe return of their child.  The caller may have the name of the child, and a scream or muffled cry in the background has been reported on some occasions.

If you receive a similar call, authorities recommend parents should try to text, call or reach their child through social media to confirm their safety.  Additionally, if possible, ask questions of the caller that only your family member would know the answers to.  We urge all residents to contact their local police department by calling 911 if they receive a call of this nature.

On behalf of the members of the Penn Hills Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with the officers of the Canonsburg Police Department as they cope with the tragic loss of Officer Scott Bashioum and the wounding of Officer James Saieva.  Officer Bashioum was a seven year veteran of the department and previously served with the United States Air Force.  He was fifty-two years old and is survived by his wife and children.

We offer our most heartfelt sympathies to both officers’ families and friends during this difficult time, and wish Officer Saieva a speedy recovery from his injuries.  May peace be with everyone affected by this tragedy.

We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2016 Citizens Police Academy – Fall Session class.  Class size is limited to twenty (20) students, with preference given to Penn Hills and Monroeville residents.  Application packages may be picked up at the Penn Hills and Monroeville Police Departments, or downloaded from this site by clicking here.

Please complete your application and other necessary paperwork/checks as soon as possible to confirm your spot in this class.  Many local law enforcement agencies offer Citizens Police Academy classes at various times throughout the year; however we believe our program is very unique, offering students a chance to drive an actual police car on a “skid pad,” and to participate in live firearms training on a state-of-the-art shooting range maintained by the Monroeville Police Department and the FBI.

For additional information on the program, and the requirements to apply, please visit our Citizens Police Academy page.  The first class will be held on Friday, September 14, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Monroeville Police Department.

The Penn Hills Police Department will be hosting a crime watch meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 7:00 PM.  The meeting will be held at the Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department Station #227, located at 125 Universal Road.

Detective Trogler will host the meeting and discuss a variety of topics, to include; submitting online reports of suspicious activity, crime preventions tips, and answer questions that people may have.

This meeting is open to anyone that would like to attend, particularly residents and business owners in the community.  We look forward to seeing you there!

In a little over a month’s time hundreds of Pennsylvania police officers will participate in the 2016 “Be a Fan” Law Enforcement Torch Run.  The 150+ mile run will start in Pittsburgh and finish at Penn State University in State College, PA.  The purpose of the event is to raise money, but more importantly, raise support and awareness for Special Olympics Pennsylvania and the athletes who participate in the games.

The run will begin on May 31^st and conclude on June 2^nd.  We are hoping to have at least ten Penn Hills police officers participating in the event this year.  Our agency has committed to “own” one of the fifty-six segments of the course, and has done so since this event returned to the area in 2011.  Our segment of the course begins on Business Route 22 in Wilkins Township and runs into Monroeville.

If you are interested in making a donation to support the PHPD team please click here.  All donations go to support Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

On Monday, February 29, 2016 Officers Lindsey Bigger and Jason Bonace took on a new line of work for the day, serving food at a restaurant in White Oak, PA.  Their new roles were inspired by an event created by the White Oak Police Department called “Tips for Cops.”

The charity event asks for area police officers to volunteer as waiters and waitresses for a day and donate their tips to the White Oak Food Pantry.  This local pantry serves financially challenged families in the Mon Valley.  The event raised $6,651.26.  Hat’s off to Officers Bigger and Bonace, and to the White Oak Police Department for organizing the event!

Tips for Cops Letter of Appreciation

This past Monday (02/08/2016) at approximately 6:37 PM Penn Hills police officers were called to a house in the 100 block of Vincent Drive for a serious domestic disturbance.  Officer Patrick Ford was the first to arrive on scene and was met outside by a frantic woman who told him that a juvenile female was being held inside an upstairs bedroom with an adult male.

Upon receiving the information, Officer Ford entered the residence and could hear a young girl screaming for help upstairs.  He proceeded upstairs and forced entry into a locked bedroom, discovering an adult male inside who was attempting to sexually assault the female victim.  The male was subdued and placed into custody.  He was charged with multiple felony violations and lodged at the Allegheny County Jail.

Officer Ford’s quick response to the call, and his willingness to act without hesitation, choosing not to wait for additional police units, prevented the rape of a twelve-year-old girl.  Congratulations Officer Ford on a job well done!

Penn Hills Police Department Incident #1600002044