Born in Pittsburgh, I received my degree in journalism and moved to Rochester, New York to teach high school English, literature and speech. I moved back to the Pittsburgh area to pursue a career in law enforcement becoming an officer for the City of Duquesne in 1994.

In addition to serving the residents of Duquesne, in 1997 I was called upon to help design the federal "Safe Schools Program" a comprehensive module initiated by the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office to reduce the incidence of school violence. With that program, I became a federal instructor teaching this module to other members of law enforcement, schoolteachers, administrators and parents.

Although I have taught and have written much about crime and the prevention of it, my passion for history has led me to write the books” Duquesne,” “Bedford and its Neighbors,” Pittsburgh's Rivers,” and “Homestead and the Steel Valley.” I have also contributed an extensive number of newsletter and magazine articles.

I have been featured on KDKA Radio, in numerous Pittsburgh Post-Gazette articles, the McKeesport Daily News and the WQED Rick Sebak documentary, “What Makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh?”

I am a Pittsburgh History instructor for Osher at Carnegie Mellon University, and I lecture at historical societies, schools, businesses and at various civic organizations on topics that include local history, writing and law enforcement.

Not too long ago, I was known as "the cop who could write more than tickets”, since I wrote four local history books including Duquesne, Pittsburgh’s Rivers and Homestead and the Steel Valley. Now after fifteen years in law enforcement specializing in crime prevention, I’ve decided to use my experience, write what I know, and publish a series of articles on safety and security. My experience includes teaching Crime Prevention to police officers for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the PA State Department of Education, as well as the FBI and US Attorney’s Office. 

The topics I cover range from senior safety and home security to travel safety and the latest scams . I keep up with all of the current crimes and the newest cons and schemes. I believe that my writing is easy to read and straight to the point. After fifteen years I think that I have a lot to offer, but you be the judge. Visit http://bcrimefree.blogspot.com.

Latest Book

Images of America:
Homestead and the Steel Valley

 
 

• Finding My Father -- Everton's Genealogical Helper, November/December 2008
• Living Life Away From the Job -- American Cop Magazine, January/February 2007
• Pittsburgh's Rivers: A Glimpse into History, Travel and Adventure -- Western Pennsylvania History Magazine, Spring 2006
   

© Daniel J Burns 2009