When I see articles and statistics about crime going down, please excuse my doubts. In my simple mind, when crime goes down, the quality of life should be going up. I think even the most gullible out there don't feel any safer of late. It is apparent to me that law enforcement and the courts are the ones relaxing the guidelines.
I think that there is a relationship between the myth described above, and people standing in the cold for a mile to hear Trump rant about deception. This post is not an endorsement for Trump, but rather a siren call against delusion.
My circulation is very local. I would ask Mayor Tuerk and Police chief Roca to also ignore the statistics, and please proceed as if crime is worse, because it is.
Crime is much worse across America, Allentown included. Crime statistics can come down by artificial means like failure to list some of the crimes or by altogether ignoring the breaking of certain laws.
ReplyDeleteThis is a big election year so certain agencies and a compliant news media will want to ignore the topic so as not to reveal a growth in crime. Everyday citizens see the rise in unlawful behavior around every corner, but those who do the reporting control the official message.
Much like the reporting of inflation, we KNOW these figures are being crafted in favor of the group in charge. Propaganda is real, and growing in America. Censorship, too.
Their justification is that if they can keep someone out of the prison system, they won't harden into a life of crime. In reality, the message is that you can get away with crime, and why not go for bigger loot?
DeleteIn my opinion what used to be considered crimes are no longer so according to our elected leaders. They direct the police not to enforce many nuisance laws. We all have also notice traffic laws are also rarely enforced. I called the police recently about a disturbance in West Park, they never came. Not the first time trust me. Mayor Teurk told West Park residents he won't put signs up in the park for laws the police cannot enforce, such as keeping dogs on a leash. Why can't they? Clearly our elected officials have forgotten or discounted the broken glass approach to law enforcement that turned our crime blighted urban areas around in the 90's. Of course once again I remind everyone we get the leaders we vote for, all of this is the majorities fault isn't it. This is what democracy looks like. Years ago I said there was a political party that wanted to turn America into Allentown. They have accomplished that.
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention the broken windows theory, which was popularized by George Kelling. The city hired Kelling as a consultant around 2009 to pitch ideas around his theory. The part that goes forgotten is that he suggested Allentown needed over 500 police officers to make his vision plausible. APD has just over 200 officers, so that is why you don’t see officers enforcing leash laws. Kelling was also shocked that officers ride solo, which is another side effect of not having the funding for the required officers, or more recently, the employment pool to select from since law enforcement career popularity has dropped dramatically.
DeleteAnonymous, years ago I was working with state reps Charlie Dent and Jennifer Mann on getting broken windows theory policing instituted in Allentown. They were on board and I believe for many years the police did take so called nuisance crimes seriously. They also understood law enforcement effected the quality of life in any municipality and in time made their jobs easier as fewer people openly broke laws. Quality of life is vital to ensuring the middle class/ working class households stay in the city. Only recently have so called quality of life crimes been viewed by city leaders as "unenforceable". The results are what they are and this is new and alarming. Although you quote the author of the broken windows theory, others took the idea and ran with it and applied it as they could depending on resources available. Broken windows is more about what your police, police, rather than how many police you have.
DeleteI am curious to hear how many police officers you believe are actively patrolling Allentown at any given time. It’s a city of roughly 150k, so what number would you say? This is always amusing to me. And as for numbers, Pittsburgh is roughly twice the size of Allentown but has 1000 officers (so 5x as many. By Allentown standards they’d only have 400). You can’t deny that nuisance violations must fall to the background when you only have the manpower to deal with the more serious offenses. To say that numbers don't matter is rather blind. Next time someone gives you a quote for something, tell them you’ll only pay 40% of the bill…..see where that gets you.
DeleteI have no idea how many police are patrolling the city. I'm from Pittsburgh and have family still there now. From this and my own experience here in Allentown I can write with certainty that numbers matter far less than the leadership and guidelines the mayors provide the police. The cops have their tails between their legs in Pittsburgh as the city is controlled by a very woke mayor and city council. Because of the instructions the mayor has given the police chief crime is through the roof there. Fortunately we aren't experiencing a similar explosion of crime here but none the less the mayors focus woke objectives with the police has resulted is what is being discussed here. Life has become increasingly unpleasant under Matt's leadership as a result. For the first time in many years we are considering moving out. Why should we stay in a city that is doesn't respect our need for some civility and order?
DeleteIf you don't prosecute criminals, then you get a lower crime rate and that looks good for those who are in elective office.
ReplyDeleteYou are right on Anonymous 6:47. Artificial numbers is a great way to put it. At budget time, I asked what the rate of violent crime was in 2023. On Wednesday before the budget meeting, I was told by Chief Roca it was up 2.4% but down in orher areas.. On Saturday, I was told it was actually only 1.6%. If that was actually true Allentown should have been crime free by Monday. Mr. Armstrong is 100% right. The "Broken Window's" theory works. However, one must be willing to fix the window.
ReplyDeleteOne of my nostalgic memories is everyone believing ‘I read it in the newspaper so it must be true.’ Today, such a foolish notion. We are being played by those we once trusted. Stay cynical friends . . . and prepared for when reality comes to call.
ReplyDeleteAhem... when we pass laws such as "don't double park"... we'll impound your loud stereo car"... "we'll impound your loud unmufflered car or bike" and the police drive right by or don't even give the creeps a dirty look when waiting right next to them at a traffic light... what can you expect but more of the same??? I have personally witnessed all of the above!!! I'd like to know what actually must be done to be pulled over. Just askin' for a friend.
ReplyDeleteFrom an Allentown police Sgt. who literally explains the system this way to community members: "Things don't always end up on our sheet. Officers who file a report have to send that report to the Platoon Sgt. The data then has to be transferred to the person/s compiling the data. Many times the crimes from the original report don't get passed along to the Platoon Sgt. so we don't count them." (literally, he admitted the reports he presents aren't accurate. But justified that most of the "crime" not included were non-violent and don't matter)
ReplyDeleteExactly, nuisance crimes aren't crimes.
DeleteIf you talk to officers, they're incredibly frustrated by Roca's constant championing of "community policing" and addressing "quality of life" issues -- and then they're told they can't combat the infractions that are lowering the quality of life and fomenting the type of violence and issues that make people want to leave the city in droves.
DeleteI stood talking to an officer a few weeks ago as we watched dirt bikes and ATVs zip up and down the street. "We can't chase 'em. We can't engage 'em. So I'm just going to sit here," the officer said (and that's exactly what he did as the bikes blocked traffic and the riders popped wheelies and caused chaos at a major intersection). Every time the chief has spoken about needing help to "locate" these vehicles and encourages the public to report where they're parked, the police never show up. I'm speaking from experience in either making those calls or helping neighbors connect with police regarding where dirt bikes and ATVs are being stored. Police don't respond and people stop trying to help. Same goes for noise complaints and issues like fireworks. About a month ago, neighbors about a block down called dispatch three times over fireworks being set off by their front door and no police showed up.
Lack of enforcement of these crimes -- and yes, they are CRIMES -- is discouraging and an actual response would restore safety and order across the city. But when police are told to sit on their hands and they are not responsive to community complaints and concerns, they lose the trust of the public. That's the police chief and the mayor at work and the cops are the villains because of it. Shame.
I remember when Mayor Heydt and Chief Held implemented the ‘’Quality of Life’ patrol to stop these nuisance issues throughout the city. Today, I literally can’t drive down 7th or Hamilton at any time of day without needing to slalom around double parkers.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was a believer in broken windows. by the time he left office the city was actually moving forward in a positive direction.
DeleteMayor Heydt also brought back foot patrols...the quality of life in Allentown was on the upswing. Sadly, it's heading down the drain.
DeleteI'm living here for 52 years. Mayor Heydt was out best leader.
DeleteMayor Heydt was the last good Mayor we've had in Allentown. He had the courage, integrity and the will to make Allentown better. He set high standards and expected nothing less from those around him. His were administrations of public service to our City and the results were evident. Quite dissimilar to mayors elected since.
DeleteWere is Emma Tropiano when she is needed most God bless her soul. When leaders are cracker jack toys from the local non profits un elected carnival barkers. We all get the same locally and nationally.
ReplyDeleteWe all need real critical thinkers not go with the flow joes!
You're right Mike, "there's something happening here, but what it is ain't exactly clear". Elected officials who fail, should get voted out, however, the deception is so ingrained, pervasive and successful that conditions will have to get worse before voters demand that elected officials make them better.
ReplyDeleteMichael, as I walked out the door of my home last night. Heard the rapid sound of gunfire.
ReplyDelete“Well, I’m living here in Allentown…. Watchin all the creeps draggin us down”
Maybe I’ll give my bud Billy Joel a call… see if he can write an updated version of “Allentown”
What a coincidence! New York City, Chicago, DC and others just announced a decrease in crime, too. It's time to put the Brooklyn Bridge back up for sale. :)
ReplyDelete