Sharpsburg native a law enforcement staple for 35 years
Sharpsburg police Chief Thomas Stelitano knows every street in the one-mile stretch in the borough of Sharpsburg.
“I can name those streets with my eyes closed,” said Stelitano, 56.
Chief Stelitano now lives in Blawnox but grew up on Eighth Street and still has relatives and friends who live in the borough.
He will mark a decade of chief service in January.
His journey to law enforcement “just sort of happened,” acknowledging his late grandfather, Thomas Veltri, introduced him to hard work as a hole digger for plumbing jobs when he was 13.
Veltri was friends with the late Sharpsburg police Chief Donald Ferraro Sr.
“That could have been a little bit why, but it was between playing football for California University of Pennsylvania or going to the police academy,” Stelitano said.
Stelitano recalled being a fixture playing basketball on the basketball courts on 13th Street, which still remain.Many childhood memories remain fresh for Stelitano as he patrols the same streets he roamed as a youngster.
“We walked everywhere. And there was this little store called Franks on North Canal. I’d go there for my grandmother and she would let me keep the change and I could buy candy for a dime,” he said.
Stelitano graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School in 1987.
There, Stelitano excelled in football as a wide receiver for Fox Chapel.
“Nobody in my family was in law enforcement,” he said.
A slot availability opened up for Stelinano to attend the Allegheny County Police Academy before his collegiate football plans as a walk-on for the football team were solidified.
At age 21, Stelinano found himself training with much older academy recruits.
“I was the youngest cadet in the class. The training was very hard and I just jumped into it,” he said.
After earning his police badge, he was hired by Sharpsburg Police Department as a part-time officer in 1990.
He never left Sharpsburg, as he took an additional part-time officer job with the Etna Police Department from 1992 to 1998.
Leading a police force of seven full-time officers within a one-mile patrol stretch keeps Stelitano busy, particularly because he insists on an open-door department policy for Sharpsburg residents.
“I’m proud of creating a good relationship with the Sharpsburg community,” Stelitano said. “Any resident of this borough can come through the front door and see me at any time.”
As chief, he strives to remain level-headed.
“I’m very cool-headed. I’m not aggressive. If you have an issue, you can come see me,” Stelitano said.
Stelitano and his officers are often found in the borough’s business district, interacting with residents and visitors.
Last year, the police department responded to an average of 3,800 calls.
Stelitano credited borough social worker Mary Bauer as a newer, integral component in the department. Sharpsburg Police Department was the third force in Allegheny County to acquire a designated social worker.
“It’s awesome because it goes hand-in-hand with what I call community policing,” Stelitano said.
Bauer is available to assist individuals facing domestic violence, mental health issues or assist elderly residents with their needs.
As a licensed social worker, Bauer can provide help and resources that officers sometimes cannot.
“I’m thankful for Chief Stelitano giving me this position and having faith in it. We are one of seven police departments in Allegheny County that have a social worker. It’s a huge advantage because we work collaboratively together,” Bauer said.
Keeping Sharpsburg safe is a constant goal and Stelitano noted the strategic placement of 23 cameras throughout the borough over the last five years as just one of the ways the department keeps Sharpsburg’s crime rate five times below the national average.
“The cameras have helped to solve crimes,” he said.
Behind the badge
Stelitano’s hobbies include working out, family time with his daughter, watching sports and cheering on the Steelers, Pitt and the Penguins. Stelitano has kept close to his sporty roots, previously coaching for Fox Chapel Youth Football for 20 years and creating the Sharpsburg Pony League Baseball Team in 1992, where he coached for a decade.
Bigfoot is a big interest for Stelitano.
“When I retire, I’m going into the woods to find him,” he joked.
And if he ever met a Bigfoot?
“I’d invite him to smoke a cigar and drink a beer,” he quipped.
Bigfoot-themed adventures for Stelitano include attending the annual Forest County Bigfoot Festival held in Marienville, Pa.
Sharpsburg residents have gifted him with various Bigfoot merchandise that occupies his office.
Sometimes he endures gentle ribbing from folks about Bigfoot.
“But I think there’s something out there,” he said.
The large, “Welcome to Sharpsburg” themed mural along Main Street even has a hidden Bigfoot painted into the design (a nod to Chief Stelitano).
Here’s a hint: if you see the mural, the Sasquatch is located near the water tower.
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
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