Pittsburgh, like each of the FBI’s local field offices, has a community outreach program that complements and strengthens our many efforts to protect you, your businesses, and your families in concrete ways through a range of activities and initiatives.

Special agents and professional staff from the Pittsburgh Division actively support and participate in various outreach initiatives to build relationships with the diverse communities we serve and to provide comprehensive and proactive prevention and intervention programs that address national security threats and crime problems such as terrorism, drugs, gangs, and violence in support of the FBI's mission. Our employees give presentations, conduct training, distribute resource materials, and participate in various initiatives that promote the safety and well being of the citizens in the area. Our outreach programs and services are available to all broad-based community groups, law enforcement agencies, human service organizations, school districts, youth groups, and businesses and corporations.

For more information, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Lillie M. Leonardi.

Our recent activities include:

• In the spring of 2009, we welcomed our latest Citizens' Academy, bringing together a cross section of 20 community leaders to learn firsthand about our operations and programs, not only demystifying our work but creating new contacts and channels for working together and sharing information. We plan to begin our next Citizens’ Academy in the fall.

Our primary ongoing initiatives:

• Speakers Bureau
  
  The Pittsburgh Division may be able to provide a special agent or professional support employee to speak to your educational, civic, or workplace-based organization. We ask that your request for a speaker be made in writing to the FBI Special Agent in Charge, 3311 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 at least four weeks before your event. The topic must be related to matters under FBI jurisdiction. The request should include times and two to three dates if possible. Every effort will be made to honor your request, although there may be times when investigative needs will limit our ability to provide a speaker.
  
  
• Adopt-A-School
  
  The "Adopt-a-School" initiative is a model program developed by the FBI and implemented throughout school districts across the nation that puts volunteer agents and staff members inside classrooms to mentor and tutor at-risk kids. Our volunteers emphasize the importance of obtaining a good education, making healthy decisions, living drug free, and abstaining from violence and other criminal behavior.
  
  Although there are numerous ways in which the various FBI field offices incorporate the program into their respective school districts, the Pittsburgh Division has created a comprehensive, progressive approach entitled "Community Oriented Schools: Adopt-a-School Initiative” that incorporates the resources of a vast number of law enforcement agencies, human resources organizations, educators, health practitioners, youth and community groups, elected officials, and business professionals. This model promotes crime prevention and intervention practices and crisis management and quality of life issues. It works to bridge the gaps in relationships with students, parents, educators, law enforcement officers, and human services professionals while building partnerships with the entire extended community. All of the programs and services we provide are free of charge. The Pittsburgh Division's Community Outreach Program received a "Letter of Commendation" from the FBI Inspection Division in recognition of this model program.
  
  
• Violent Crime Behavioral Analysis Seminar
  
  On-site registration will begin at 7:15 AM on Tues, April 20, 2010. The training will be from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Wednesday, and 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Thursday. This training is specifically designed for street level homicide investigators and sexual assault investigators. Case sensitive information will be discussed, therefore, only sworn law enforcement investigators will be authorized to attend. Law enforcement credentials will be required of all attendees.
  

Among our other ongoing efforts:

• Meeting with minority groups and civic organizations to talk about what the FBI can do with them and for them and hosting town hall meetings as needed to dialogue on key issues;
• Supporting the graduates of our Citizens’ Academies, who often band together in local alumni chapters to create crime prevention programs and other initiatives that benefit communities;
• Serving on committees and boards for businesses, schools, community groups, and social and health services and launching drives to bring food, gifts, and toys to the less fortunate during the holidays and other times of the year;
• Participating in “Red Ribbon Week,” which educates kids and adults alike on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encourages them to wear red ribbons as a sign of their commitment to stay drug free;
• Partnering with the American Football Coaches Association and its National Child Identification Program to distribute Child ID kits at football games and other events; and

Visit our national In Your Community website for more information about our overall outreach efforts and our work in other local FBI offices.

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