The University of Pittsburgh Police Department participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Pennsylvania, where the torch began a three-day journey from the North Shore in Pittsburgh to State College and Penn State University, which will host the Summer Games on June 2-4.
The LETR brings together officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state and is part of a year-round effort to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics movement. The Pitt Police Department is one of 34 agencies based in Western Pennsylvania that took part. Agencies based in central and eastern Pennsylvania will also participate.
"It's a great thing for us to be a part of," said Pitt Police Sgt. Jessica Urban, who helps organize the LETR for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. "The Special Olympics athletes, their families and supporters of Special Olympics have a strong supportive relationship with law enforcement. And it's fulfilling for the officers, who get to spend quality time building these relationships."
On Tuesday, May 10, an opening ceremony took place inside PNC Park, where the torch took a lap of honor around the basepaths and the outfield warning track. It then went on daylong tour through Pittsburgh.
By 2 p.m., the torch was received by the Pitt Police Department team at Fifth and Morewood avenues for the 10th leg of the relay. Pitt Police then ran with the torch down Fifth through Oakland. From there, the team made a left onto Halket Street and then another left onto Forbes Avenue. There, the runner and their escort made their way past the Jerome Cochran Public Safety Building, which is the Pitt Police headquarters.
Pitt Police handed off to Carnegie Mellon University Police at Forbes and South Bellefield avenues.
Throughout the event, police escorts enforced rolling closures of the streets involved to ensure the safety of the participants.
After the torch leaves Pittsburgh, it will be carried for another two days to State College, Pa., in Centre County.
Pitt Police will participate in all legs of the journey.
Here's a gallery of photos taken throughout the day:
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