The City of Pittsburg is a city on the rise. From Marina Boulevard to Railroad Avenue, our streets are humming with new businesses, fresh ideas, and community energy. Our commercial growth is no accident—it’s the result of years of planning, investment, and local leadership focused on revitalizing this city for everyone. But one challenge threatens to slow that momentum: our police department’s staffing crisis.
At a recent presentation, the Pittsburg Police Officers Association laid bare a truth many in our business community already feel: we simply don’t have enough officers on our streets. And when businesses call for help, there’s no guarantee anyone will be able to respond quickly—or at all.
This isn’t just a public safety issue. It’s a business issue. And we need to start treating it that way.
The Numbers Tell the Story
While Pittsburg is budgeted for 88 sworn officers, that number includes command staff, detectives, school resource officers, and officers on special assignments or leave. It does not reflect the number of officers available to respond to calls.
In reality, only 34 officers are assigned to patrol the city, and that number fluctuates due to injuries, vacancies, and training schedules. At any given time, only 4 to 5 officers are on duty, covering Pittsburg’s entire footprint—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This short staffing creates a real strain on response times and makes it difficult to prioritize non-emergency calls, which many local businesses rely on when facing theft, trespassing, or property damage.
What This Means for Pittsburg Businesses
As Pittsburg’s commercial corridors grow—along with foot traffic and community events—the need for a consistent police presence has never been greater. Yet we’re asking a handful of officers to do the work meant for dozens.
The risk is both real and financial: longer police response times can lead to unresolved incidents, increased costs for businesses, and a growing perception that Pittsburg is not a safe place to shop, dine, or invest. That perception damages years of economic development progress.
We’ve heard it from our members: when crime goes unaddressed, insurance costs rise, foot traffic drops, and potential investors walk away.
Why Retention is the Keystone
The POA presented a clear picture: Pittsburg has become a training ground for officers who leave for higher-paying jobs in nearby cities. We spend over $201,000 per officer in training, salary, and equipment—only to lose that investment when they move on.
Becoming a fully functioning officer isn’t quick. It takes an average of 18 months, and in some cases, up to two years before a recruit can independently respond to calls. The solution isn’t just hiring more people—it’s keeping the ones we have.
Retention brings stability, experience, and trust. Every veteran officer who stays improves the department’s strength and the city’s safety.
What Can We Do? (3 Actions for the Next 6–12 Months)
Here are three practical steps the City Council can take to improve officer retention, support local businesses, and rebuild capacity:
- Establish a Business & Public Safety Task Force: Bring together the Pittsburg Police Department, local businesses, Chamber leadership, and city staff in a monthly task force. This group can identify problem areas, share data, and recommend actionable safety improvements in real time.
- Pilot a Dedicated Commercial Response Unit: Assign a small unit to focus solely on commercial zones during peak business hours. This focused presence would help prevent crime, reduce delays in response, and build stronger relationships between officers and the business community.
- Prioritize Competitive Pay and Long-Term Incentives: We encourage the City to look at longevity incentives based on years of service and to ensure officer compensation remains competitive with surrounding agencies.
Budget Priorities and Public Trust
We understand the difficult balance our City Council must strike when allocating limited resources. Roads, infrastructure, and public safety are all essential components of a thriving economy. Well-maintained streets improve mobility, attract commerce, and boost property values. At the same time, reliable police staffing builds public trust, protects businesses, and makes Pittsburg a place people want to live, work, and invest.
That’s why we believe it’s time to re-evaluate how Measure M funds are being allocated.
When voters approved Measure M—a half-cent sales tax—they did so with the understanding that the majority of those funds would support police services. Today, that allocation has been capped at $2.85 million, which represents a significant departure from the original voter-approved intent.
We know these decisions aren’t easy. But we urge the City Council to revisit this cap and consider whether current allocations truly reflect the priorities and needs of our growing community. Pittsburg’s investment in public safety must keep pace with its growth—because both infrastructure and safety are foundational to long-term economic success.
A Balanced, Urgent Approach
We’re not calling for blind support or blank checks. We support accountability, transparency, and responsible budgeting. But public safety is not optional—it’s the foundation for every thriving community and every successful business.
The Chamber of Commerce is ready to work alongside the Pittsburg Police Department, city leadership, and our members to help make our city safer and stronger. But we need action, and we need it soon.
To the City Council: prioritize public safety—not just in speeches, but in spending, staffing, and policy. Let’s fix the revolving door before it costs us any more than it already has.
By By Wolfgang Croskey,
CEO, Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce
