Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is known for its museums, sports teams, and cuisine. However, home security in Pittsburgh is a must, as the city does have a problem with violent and property crime. With a total crime index (TCI) of five — with 100 being the safest — 95% of U.S. cities are safer, according to the latest Neighborhood Scout data, which culls information from multiple government sources. Here’s how the city’s crime picture compares to some other municipalities of similar size.
Violent Crime in Pittsburgh
The FBI defines violent crime as being one of four offenses murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The chance of becoming the victim of some form of violent crime in Pittsburgh, with 303,000 residents, is one in 189. Of the 11,574 crimes reported in the city over the most recent 12-month period, 1,602 were violent.
Compare that to Fort Wayne, Indiana, a city of 269,000 with a TCI of 13. If you’re there, there’s just a one in 369 chance you’ll experience violent crime. Of 7,077 crimes in total, 6,345 were classified as such. Then there’s Lubbock, Texas, with 266,000 residents and a total crime index of four. The chances of becoming a violent-crime victim there are one in 116. Some 2,297 of the 10,885 crimes reported over 12 months were violent.
But in Toledo, an Ohio city with more than 265,000 residents and a TCI of four, 3,030 of its 11,038 crimes were violent. There, you have a one in 88 chance of victimization. In St. Petersburg, a Florida city with about 263,000 residents and a TCI of eight, your chances of being subjected to violent crime are one in 174. Anchorage, Alaska, with some 286,000 residents, is another city close in size to Pittsburgh. It has a TCI of five, with 3,037 of 11,430 classified as violent.
Property Crime in Pittsburgh
Then there’s property crime, which is defined by the FBI as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In Pittsburgh, your chance of experiencing a property crime is one in 30 — for a rate of 32.88 per 1,000 residents. There were 9,972 such crimes in Pittsburgh for the most recent 12-month period.
Compare that with Fort Wayne, Indiana, where you have a one in 43 chance of being victimized, for a rate of 23.50 per 1,000 residents. That city logged 6,345 property crimes over 12 months – 677 of them burglaries.
As for Lubbock’s property crime picture, you have a one in 31 chance of being victimized. Of 8,588 property crimes in Hub City, 1,624 were burglaries.
Toledo fares similarly to Pittsburgh on the property crime front. Residents there have a one in 33 chance of being victimized by property crime. Of 8,008 property crimes in Toledo, 1,292 were burglaries.
In St. Petersburg, meanwhile, there’s a one in 38 chance of experiencing a property crime. That’s a rate of 26.67 for every 1,000 residents. Of the city’s 7,028 property crimes, 717 were burglaries. And in Anchorage, there’s a one in 34 chance you’ll fall victim to a property crime, for a rate of 29.34 per 1,000 residents. In the 12-month period, there were 8,393 property crimes reported.
Pittsburgh’s Police Department
As of early 2025, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police had 709 officers, with some 49 recruits in training. That was below the city’s proposed target this year of 800 officers.
Rather than traditional precincts, the bureau is organized into six police zones. Each zone is responsible for addressing crime prevention, law enforcement, and community engagement within its designated area. The zones are:
- Zone 1. North Side
- Zone 2. Downtown, Hill District, Strip District, Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, and Uptown.
- Zone 3. South Side, Beltzhoover, Carrick, St. Clair Village, and Arlington Heights.
- Zone 4. Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Point Breeze.
- Zone 5. East Liberty, Highland Park, and Homewood.
- Zone 6. West End, Banksville, Brookline, and Beechview.
How to Stay Safe
Monitored home security systems can help play a crucial role in preventing crime by working closely with local police like those in the Pittsburgh area. These systems work in tandem with law enforcement and first responders to lessen the chance of being the victim of a crime or emergency.
With a monitored security system, when an alarm is triggered, the security company’s monitoring center immediately assesses the situation and notifies law enforcement if necessary. By providing real-time information, such as the nature of the alarm and whether it’s a break-in or fire, first responders can respond more quickly and efficiently. The partnership between first responders and a monitored home security company helps enhance public safety and reduce response times.
In Summary
Compared to other cities with similar populations, incidences of violent crime and property crime are high in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, in the U.S. as a whole, a residential break-in occurs every 26 seconds. Further, homes with no security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized wherever they are. Some 83% of would-be burglars search for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in. That’s why monitored home security systems from Guardian Protection offer around-the-clock monitoring to give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered by professionals who work closely with first responders, every hour of the day.
