Police department social worker dedicated to helping residents in need in Sharpsburg
Mary Bauer isn’t a police officer, but you’ll find her office inside the Sharpsburg Police Department.
The McCandless resident is a full-time police social worker at the ready to assist Sharpsburg police officers with any social-related needs for police interactions.
“I grew up in a family of helpers and my parents were an example for me,” Bauer said. “My parents were my big role models in wanting to help people in any way I could.”
Bauer is the only daughter of Kathleen and William Bauer of Richland, working as a social case manager and EMT, respectively.
Hired initially as an intern from 2022-23, she was hired full-time after college.
Bauer’s duties include assisting with 911 calls, going on police ride-alongs, being on scene and meeting with Sharpsburg residents inside her private, confidential office to offer support and trauma-informed services.
Services include crisis intervention, family mediation, victim advocacy, de-escalation, short-term counseling and parental education.
All of Bauer’s services are confidential and free of charge.
“Allegheny County is blessed to have so many resources, but a challenge is making sure people have connections to all of the resources in a timely manner,” Bauer, 26, said.
She graduated from Pine-Richland High School in 2018 and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and social work from Mercyhurst University and a master’s from Slippery Rock University.
Sharpsburg Council voted to add Bauer’s position to the 2026 budget and for that, she’s grateful.
“I love this job and I want to stay here,” she said.
Bauer has helped all ages, from infants to end-of-care Hospice patients.
Sharpsburg and O’Hara Police Departments are the only two municipalities offering a police social worker in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
O’Hara Township hired a full-time social worker earlier this year.
“It’s great because we border O’Hara and we can share resources,” Bauer said.
“It’s like I have six big brothers,” Bauer said of working with the six other Sharpsburg police officers and Chief Thomas Stelitano.
Stelitano said Bauer brings an enthusiastic and much-needed amenity to the department.
“She’s here to deliver and communicate very good resources to any of the residents. She spends time with them and can give these people more time than what one police officer can give,” Stelitano said.
Following up after incidents is something Bauer has time for, when police officers don’t.
“She’s embedded in the department and nowadays in the environment we’re in, almost every single day we’re dealing with some type of social issue — mental, family — it’s out the,re and we see it 24 hours a day,” Stelitano said.
One example of how Bauer can assist residents is if there’s a death.
“I’ve done it all. We’ve had welfare checks where a person has passed away. I’m able to call the person back and say I’m so sorry and explain those next steps,” Bauer said. “I’m honored to have this job. I’m honored that the people of Sharpsburg and other communities put their trust in me.”
When a heat wave hit Pittsburgh last summer, Bauer helped to organize buses to transport Sharpsburg residents to a cooling center.
She organized a warming center option for residents during frigid temps last winter, offering hot chocolate, coffee and snacks in Sharpsburg’s council chambers.
Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis has witnessed firsthand the benefit of having a police social worker.
“The role brings a level of support and expertise that traditional policing alone can’t provide,” Portis said. “Mary helps the department respond to complex situations — mental health crises, family issues and vulnerable residents — in a way that’s compassionate, informed and community focused.”
Bauer can assist any individuals who have had interactions with the Sharpsburg Police, even if they’re not residents of Sharpsburg.
Bauer typically works daytime hours, but will respond if there’s a traumatic incident.
“Not every department has someone like her, so we truly value the way she bridges the gap between policing and social services. She brings a level of care and insight that benefits the entire community and we’re very fortunate to have someone with her expertise,” Portis said.
She encourages Sharpsburg residents to reach out with any and all questions.
“My door is open all the time,” Bauer said. “Anything you need help with, I can get you the right resources.”
Volunteering as a firefighter with the Richland Township Fire Department is another way Bauer serves the public.
During her downtime, Bauer loves to travel and recently enjoyed her first trip to Chicago.
“It was so foodie and I loved it. I went on the river walk and enjoyed the architecture and next up is a trip to Rehobeth Beach, Delaware,” she said.
Sharpsburg residents in need of social services are asked to call Bauer at 412-789-9010.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.