Jul 23, 2008
The Consequences of Denial
Last year when observers of local government pointed out that City Hall was gutted of it's most respected administrators, the apologists said those gone were just dead wood. Never mind that they have been replaced by people with virtually no experience. When long term private investment has left Hamilton Street, despite massive grants to a couple chosen venues, the apologists refer to transitional growing pains. When a report states crime is down, despite a recent horrendous murder and general fear, the Mayor credits his spending on technology, such as surveillance camera's and shot spotter microphones. Someone should remind the Mayor about the grassy knoll in Dallas. Despite media camera's and microphones from around the world, to this day, we still do not know how many shots were fired or where they came from. The apologists will apologize; the Mayor will rationalize, the editorials will endorse, the reports will verify, but middle class homeowners see the truth, and put up "for sale" signs.
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When will the MC admit that this city is in trouble. Not only has this Mayor gutted the talent from the city (if you agree with the Mayor you can keep your job, if not you are gone)he continues to hire incompetents.
ReplyDeleteI believe at least 15 police officers and their experience will be lost at year end.
The mayor's concept of sweet little shops on Hamilton Street is a dream that cannot ever materialize. His elitist attitude is very similar to Obama's. We are Allentown residents, just plain folks.
Forget sweet little shops, how about any functional shops? That is a dream that MUST materialize or we're better off bulldozing the whole downtown Hamilton strip.
ReplyDeleteIf residents have no optimism about where they live they are better off living somewhere else where they can be happy.
I really don't like those stories about crime data. The stats may be real, but if people aren't reporting crime then of course it will look like there is a decline in crime. And since the number 5% is so negligble we can never be sure. I do hope that crime actually is decreasing. Maybe we'll see more of a decrease when more cops come on line.
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ReplyDeletedeleted comment duplicate by anon 12:45
ReplyDeleteI have a rough time with the stats that were released.
ReplyDeleteRetired ASD teacher here.
ReplyDeleteThe BIGGEST CRIME happening in Allentown never makes the statistics reports, yet is just as heinous as those that do, for those affected.
I'm speaking of residents within the Allentown city limits who are afraid to leave their homes after dark.
This number is probably in the thousands!
This is 2008. We are not living in solitary, wide open spaces inside covered wagons.
Are we?
I believe the biggest crime is that thousands of Allentown residents seem to be ignored by the City and then people wonder why crimes are occurring. We can't lock everyone up, but if City leaders actually went INTO the communities instead of believing agencies and organizations are a good substitute for ther presence and leadership, then maybe a change could take place. It's not an excuse for the criminals, but many of the "just plain folks" in A-town feel ignored by the leaders due to all of these great plans of progress and events, yet they NEVER seem to be invited to the table unless SOMETHING is needed; like a vote, a social security number for funding, or just a face to place on any and all negativity occurring in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteAlfonso
One period of data does not indicate a trend. The data is relative.
ReplyDeleteWhat matters is that too many people live in fear in the city and yes we prefer not to go out of our homes.
At times, it seems, we are held hostage by a bunch of kids with toys who have absolutely no sense and can't seem to think at all. As ludicrous as it may seem, at times, it is a reality. The toys are guns and the death they cause is no game.
There are a lot of decent people trying to do the right thing in Allentown. They need to have a voice and they are the ones who need to drive the vision of this city.
I wish my 401(k) saw the same percentage increase as Allentown's crime saw a decrease. Not to shabby.
ReplyDeleteAlso, why is everyone ignoring the 11% increase in Bethlehem, that is huge!!!
I think the fact that there are so many unsolved murders (I believe I read that half of murders in Lehigh County are unsolved)tells me that more police are needed right now. People should not have to live in fear because killers are on the loose. Public safety should be first priority.
ReplyDeleteASD teacher, I am afraid to go anywhere by myself after dark, not just Allentown.
The Queen City is full of Jokers.
ReplyDeleteI find the recent home invasion murder on Pine St. to be the scariest kind of crime.
ReplyDeleteGang members killing their own kind doesn't bother me too much since I'm not working in that field! But at times it is frightening for the neighbors. We had a shootout on our street in broad daylight last year. It was summer vacation and kids were all outside. No one was hit and the fools ran away. I don't know what ever happened.
I think Roy had the right idea. Wasn't he going to turn downtown into a carribean farmers market or something?
ReplyDeleteI think Roy had the right idea. Wasn't he going to turn downtown into a carribean farmers market or something?
ReplyDeletePerhaps the number of unsolved murders is due to criminals from outside Allentown. The randomness of the pattern has increased, where there is no real relationship between the perpetrator and the victim.
ReplyDeleteThese crimes defy our traditional methods of investigation and the conventional wisdom we have held toward them.
It is a different culture. A different strategy is needed. Do we really need more police or police who are used to working in this type of environment?
In the UK there is something like one camera for every 12 citizens and little has been shown to warrant such a massive investment in technology.
The urban environment is a different playing field than it was a little while ago. It needs to be respected as such.