University of Pittsburgh - Safety & Security

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Common sense is key when talking about urban campus security. Many students feel that as long as you're not asking for trouble, you won't have any problems at Pitt. The campus is always well lit and because of the urban location, there are people out on the streets at every hour. Oakland is regularly patrolled by both city and campus police, and calls are responded to quickly. This is especially true at night and on the weekends. Dorm security is especially tight. Residence halls are guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You cannot be admitted into a dorm without having your ID swiped by security or unless you have a resident sign you into the dorm, which you need to still have a form of ID to be admitted.

Break-ins and petty theft tend to be the biggest security issues at Pitt. Theft isn't uncommon in both on-campus buildings and nearby apartments. Just use common sense. It's best not to leave your stuff unattended and always remember to lock your doors. South Oakland, where many students live when they move out of the dorms, isn't the best of locations, Even here, though, the police presence tends to deter any serious crime. Other nearby neighborhoods pose little threat, with the possible exception of the Hill District (which begins at the northern end of campus), but there isn’t really anything there to draw students. Overall, students feel the same sense of security at Pitt that most only find in smaller, rural schools. As long as you're careful, it's easy to spend four years in Oakland and not have any problems.

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Students Speak Out

dar76 says: University of Pittsburgh 2016 Social Sciences

Oakland is pretty safe. Sometimes... Oakland is pretty safe. Sometimes you hear about people getting mugged, but I've never felt a dangerous vibe. Pittsburgh is generally pretty safe. There are only a few neighborhoods where most of the violent crime is concentrated. 12345 Safety & Security: February 13, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

There are officers around campus... There are officers around campus all the time—on bikes, on foot, in their cruisers. After 10 p.m., there is an officer in the Cathedral of Learning making sure that there isn’t anyone in there who doesn’t belong. There are always officers making rounds at the library. I think it’s nice to actually see them out on campus and know that you’re being taken care of. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Dorm security is ridiculous. But... Dorm security is ridiculous. But at least you know that no one is in your building that doesn’t belong there. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Pitt has its own police force,... Pitt has its own police force, which is essentially one step down from the city police. There are small Pitt Police stations located in or around most of the dorms, though these often look empty. Between the University’s police and local police, however, the entire Oakland campus is covered by police cars—this is especially true at night. It’s rare to hear about crime or safety problems on or around campus, and Oakland itself generally feels pretty secure. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Anonymous says:

Sometimes it feels like the... Sometimes it feels like the security to get into dorm rooms is a little over the top, but it is in our best interests. The Pitt police are definitely a presence on campus, but they’re not too overbearing. 12345 Safety & Security Report

Did You Know?

The University of Pittsburgh has the third largest police force in Allegheny County, with 74 police officers who are commissioned and certified in the same way as city or municipal police.

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