Mayoral candidate Ed Zucal reported Monday on social media that someone was stabbed on Friday near West Park, and that two cars exchanged gunfire near Hayes Elementary School. As of Tuesday evening, neither incident was reported by the Morning Call or WFMZ.
Being a small town pizza blogger only claiming informed commentary, rather than investigative reporting, I have not checked the police blotter or with those news outlets to analyze the crime repression. However, I do know that both Mayor Tuerk and police chief Roca claim that crime is down. They're not bashful about complimenting themselves when someone is caught, as was the person firing a gun on 2nd St.. From my excursions around Allentown, I can tell you that quality of life is down, and that reality is what affects most of us.
As long as the car stereos vibrate a block away, and people feel free to stop their cars anytime, anywhere, Tuerk and Roca lack credibility with me. Tuerk has been playing his Latino card harder than in his first campaign, but I don't think that compensates with the residents in West Park and other affected neighborhoods.
One of the things I have learned in my occasional forays to Allentown is that there is the Allentown by day, which I feel safe visiting although unimpressed by it. Then there is the Allentown by night, which is a dangerous city. Allentown by night to me has a sense of uncomfortordness; you don't want to walk along the sidewalks in fear of harm by persons unknown. That may be totally unjustified, it is just how I sense the city, even driving around in a locked vehicle.
ReplyDeleteIn a different era, when I called Allentown my home, I had no issues with walking along sidewalks at night. There were sports events at the Little Palestra or ASD staium, which were a good distance from 8th and Liberty, where I grew up. Walking over to Dieruff for basketball games never phased me. Also walking overe to the Boulevard drive-in to sneak in the back and sit and watch movies at night was fun to do during the summer. Walking home at 11pm on Tilghman though the ward was nothing I ever thought was unusual.
Today, doing those things would simply be unthinkable.
I saw the televised debate from Symphony Hall between Turek and Zucal. If I were eligible to vote, I would write in my own name, as I was not impressed by either canidate's stated positions.
I know Matt personally, we attended the same university. I don't know Mr Zucal, although I do know he served the city as a policeman and also on city council. Both are fine men If you have not seen the debate, it's on you tube. Wach it and be an informed voter when you cast your ballot.
Brent, Matt may be a fine man but he is woke. Would you want a woke mayor, and all that entails running your town?
DeleteMatt is who he is, and his views are public knowledge.
DeleteMr Zucal does not favor the removal of illegal ailens.
In good concience, I cannot support either of these men. However both men are of good character.
Again! Matt is woke! As you say he is what he is, clearly that means he's woke! Would you like, as you wrote, This"fine man" to be your mayor? If not, then say so and stop acting as if he's harmless.
DeleteThe public has a right to know what crimes and where they occur so they are able to make decisions about their safety.
ReplyDeleteThe crimes committed at the Mall on MacArthur Rd. have been covered up for years.
I expect few realize that most of the crime in South Whitehall is conducted at Dorney Park, much of it to do with bussed in people from out of state.
Under reported crimes is a nationwide issue in certain mismanaged cities.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you from direct experience crime within Allentown public schools is vastly under reported. No building Principal or downtown Administrator wants their efforts to be seen as inadequate by the State.
The crimes mentioned above are in no way connected to the schools. These were crimes committed near the schools. The ASD has taken great strides in protecting their schools most recently with the weapons detection systems. The schools are much safer then they have been in years. What if they had happened in front of the Art Museum. The issue is the hiding of the crimes not where they occured.
DeleteI sincerely hope you are correct, 7:23 AM! The direct experience I refer to in that 6:02 post goes back several years ago. Student crime was all too common. That included burglary, theft, muggings, sexual assaults, assaults on teachers, vandalism, and a wide variety of weaponry confiscated. I’m pretty sure those types of incidents still occur within the walls. Ask a few current teachers.
Delete7;23 I seriously question your statement that the schools are safer than they have been in years. I will say the "interim" principal of Allen seems to be doing a good job with the situation that confronts him. However with the restorative practices policies and the relating lack of discipline I believe few would agree that the schools were safer. They may be compared to our neighborhoods that have become loud, littered and disorderly. In my time paying attention to the district, student related violent crimes have always occurred outside the schools rather than inside. That is still the case.
Delete7:23 - Are you getting crime reports from the schools? If so, you’re the only one.
DeleteAs a taxpayer and ASD parent, it would be helpful to know what is going on in the schools. Yes we now have weapons detection systems. But how many weapons are being confiscated and what type of weapons are they? How many fights take place inside schools or on school grounds (during the school day)? We call that assault in the outside world, and maybe it rises to that level (in some cases) inside schools as well. Have drugs been confiscated in the schools? If so, what kind?
As to those bringing weapons, assaulting other students, and possessing drugs, what is done with those students? Are they kicked out of school? Are they turned over to the authorities for further investigation and prosecution? Or do they just go back to class as if nothing happened?
Again, do you know these answers?
If so, please direct the rest of us where to get this “public” information. If not, stop lecturing us about how safe ASD schools are. I’m many administrations and politicians past taking anyone’s word for it. Show me their published (and audited) statistics.
Um the stabbing was in front of Allen High School, the shots fired was in front of Hayes Elementary, the guy with the gun was in front of Harrison Morton, he pointed it at the security guard. Why don't you learn something before you speak.
Deleteanon@8:56: two citizen reports put the stabbing in west park. The greater point is that there has been no mention of the stabbing by the police or media, regardless of where it occurred. I did mention Hayes, and Harrison Morton is on 2nd St. Why don't you sign your name?
DeleteMy high school, William Allen, which I am a graduate of, today looks like an armed camp with a strong police presence in it. I graduated from a high school that was not under the watchful eye of armed police, whatever euphanism you wish to call them. I happened to be on 17th, stopped at the traffic light at Linden during a class change. There were police all over guiding, which i suppose is a word for it, the students outside during a class change. I attended the school for 3 years as a student, and I never saw a policeman either in the school or outside the school.. ever. In the summer of 1980, I had the need to go in the school for a transcript of my grades, which I needed for college admission. I went in with my wife, walked around a bit with my wife, showing her things, went in the main office and was given my transcript. It was routine and it was a pleasant experience.
DeleteHaving a school, a place of knowledge and socialization being an armed facility with more police than a penetentary is an embarassment.
Apparantley the area around the school is inhabited by the same criminal element that can be found inside the school. Stabbings in West Park, a place of civic beauty and relaxation, by armed teenage gang members is an abomination.
A few years ago, while visiting Allentown, I wanted to take some photos of Harrison-Morton. The facility was in a horrid slum that I did not recognize as the Allentown I recalled. Yes, enen when I lived in Allentown H-M was in a rough part of town. Today it is magnatudes worse, and I felt uncomfortable even getting out of my vehicle to photograph the building. In daytime.
Also, I wanted to go over to Trexler to look at my 7th grade yearbook, and copy some pages out of it, again for my facebook group. I called the school and they had the book as the Allentown Library did not. However, for me to actually enter the school, my former junior high school, takes an act of God and given the limited amount of time I had in Allentown, I was unable to even go in the building. The level of paranoia of the Allentown School District being such that unless you are a current student or staff, it is next to impossible for a member of the general public to enter a school building.
Just incredible....
The crime and quality of life issues are far worse under Tuerk than is being reported. Those of us who live west of 17th Street rarely ever see a police car. The City even had the gall to rub our nose in it by having a fleet of police officers on motorcycles riding around in ceremonial fashion on a Sunday morning for hours before the St. Patrick's Day parade, when people in west Allentown will never, ever see a police officer on actual patrol. While I feel badly for those residents of the West Park neighborhood, the crime and quality of life between 17th Street and 22nd Street is extremely vulnerable right now.
ReplyDeleteMike Im glad you brought this up. This is simple. MAYOR TUERK AND CHIEF ROCA are simply not reporting crimes to the news because the election is 2 weeks away. They need it to look safe however outside the schools have become a war zone it appears. It's simply dirty tactics to cover up crime just like they do within the police department.
ReplyDeleteFunny one of the rape victims stated she went to Chief Roca and told him she was assaulted. He stated he did an investigation lmao and passed the buck to his chain of command. Nothing happened and Im pretty sure your going to hear from past D.A. Martin that Roca never ran any of this past him, in which Roca claimed he did. But Roca has been the Chief for how long? When Safe Sport reached out to APD on Krasely background they were giving nothing? Roca was on the news saying a victim came to him. He needs to go, he covers up so much crime.
ReplyDeleteanon@8:46: I believe that Tuerk/Roca should be enforcing quality of life issues much more aggressively.
DeleteI do not know Roca's part back when the alleged sexual assaults occurred, I know he was not chief then. I will host no more comments no that topic.
This post concerns whether crime is being underreported, and by whom? It does not concern coverups. It is my assumption that Roca would be more aggressive about quality of life issues, if so directed by a mayor.
Doesn't anyone realize those two geniuses Roca and Tuerk hold the fact that homicides are down as being such an accomplishment? In 2023 it was one of the highest years Ever!! Homicides are not an crime that effects people as much as burglary thefts fraud etc. Under 20 people are killed a year in Allentown but 1000s are stolen from (including suspects vice investigates) 1000s are victims of fraud, everyone experiences double Parkers, loud music, dirt bike. Homicides is really the only stat that can't be fudged. Everything else can be changed. Burglary sounds worse than a theft. Robbery sounds worse than a theft. Oh How's the drug problem? Overdoses? Schools aren't safe now either apparently though that gets hidden.
ReplyDeleteActually the police department does have a crime Analyst. Tho as we can see that person is pretty useless since the stats can't be found. City wastes prob $50-60k on this person to tell us which they don't where crime is. The money wasted in APD is absurd.
ReplyDeleteNot good if we have a crime analyst in the city that has to fix the real picture because the Chief doesn’t like the results.
DeleteHow does a cop get to be an Assistant Chief and hasn't been a Patrolman or on the Streets for over 20yrs? I am sure he is a great leader.
the crime analyst just built an info-packed crime dashboard that is soon going to be released publicly. i wish you people weren’t all so miserable all the damn time.
DeleteAllentown is a big city. There is going to be crime. The people that live there know the truth. Why hide it? The transparency in the city is awful.
ReplyDeleteTuerk can be voted out May 20th by getting out and voting! Zucal has already stated that the failure Police Chief and his complacent minions are out. A buy one get one free of sorts.
ReplyDeleteThe city MUST see a change in leadership at many levels. Finance Director, HR, Public Works, Police, Fire and most definitely CED.
The lack of leadership and cover up of heinous crimes within APD are major contributors to the problem. Criminals policing criminals?
Zucal may not have all the answers but he has promised to do something Tuerk has failed for almost 4yrs. He will weed out the problem people in the city ranks.
Vote May 20th!
Concerned Citizen, as I commented at 9:15, I will print no more anonymous comments about the vice case. If you want to send another comment with your contact info, I will verify your identity, and then print the comment under your name.
ReplyDelete8:54 - I agree about homicides being the only stat that can’t be fudged.
ReplyDeleteThat said, for Tuerk and Rocca to claim ANY decrease as an accomplishment is an insult to our intelligence. If homicides are down, it’s only because of poor marksmanship, not for lack of effort.
We are not safer under Tuerk, and he needs to be voted out of office.
Hiding crimes does NOT eliminate crime. Hiding crimes promotes even more crime.
ReplyDeleteSammy J. - They are lying to us with the hope of getting the votes of the uninformed. Anyone with half a brain will be voting them out in the upcoming election.
ReplyDeleteYour post is all about not believing what you read but all your posters appear to want to believe what you posted. I follow lots of social media pages. The APD does a stellar job connecting with the community. Read their page. The PAL program is a terrific outreach into the youth program. Tuerk and Mota and Hendricks have been visible supporters. I don't recall seeing any involvement from Zucal, a self promoted advocate for community policing. Google Zucal and in 2019 he was bashing Mayor Ray O'Connell and his chief about crime. What exactly has he done on council since that time if that was his concern even back then? Worry if Zucal gets rid of a Chief who has worked to establish meaningful relations with the community and brings in a like minded archaic chief. That guardian patrol he is referring to is an antiquidated concept. What capable individual do you know who would risk their wellbeing to patrol their neighborhood? Don't you think Roca and his team have their eye and ear out for what's happening in the city and monitor in a proactive way?
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not think that Roca and Tuerk have their eyes or ears on anything other than staying in power. Roca badly needs a new Police Station for his ego. “The fire chief has a new building, why not me? Wahhh”. Who cares If we bankrupt the city or pass the debt on to taxpayers?
DeleteWhy hasn't the city announced the borrowing? Oh yeah, election time. The finance office is hiding that money will be needed to build the Roca Public Safety Palace until after the election.
Mota and Hendricks are simply speaking words and have zero substance.
Anonymous 11:02. Hendricks and Mota are about being on the news. Plus I do not think either of them have a full time job so they can attend gatherings and events. Zucal does not have that luxury. Community relationships you say? How did that work out at the Trump Rally when Roca let protesters get closer to the peaceful Trumpers. What relationships does he have? Zucal didn't want that other chief because like Roca he didn't know what he was doing.
DeleteHow can you have your ear to the street if you never leave your office? Neither does his team? The one assistant chief hasn't been a patrolman in over 20 years!!! Yea he knows what's going on and how to fight crime.
Mota and Hendricks are the perfect bookends representing the once great All American City.
DeleteAt least Zucal can admit there is a problem in the city. A neighborhood crime report shows that most crime is up in the city. Hendricks is out of touch with the community, as is Affa.
Deleteanon@11:02: Glad to host a comment with a different point of view, but connectingwith the community is to me overrated. Meanwhile, how many times have I read that there is no danger to the greater community, and if anybody knows anything, please contact the police? TOO OFTEN!
ReplyDeleteIf Roca's hands are being somewhat tied by Tuerk's "inclusiveness", he might be an adequate chief. I don't know.
He's not an adequate chief. He only did 3 months as a patrolman!!! How can you possibly say you know things when you never did the job!! People see Roca as a nice guy with a bad haircut. Not a Leader. You never see him or his assistant chiefs out on the street. Now it might not be their job persay, but I'm sure the rank and file would love to see their so called "leader" out there.
DeleteI was a resident in 2019. Zucal did not bash Mayor O'Connell. In fact, he supported him in getting rid of the Chief who was useless. If you do your research you'll find that Council Chambers was packed asking for the Chief ro resign because of the crime issue. Looks like it's the same thing just a different time period. Only difference Mayor O"Connell was transparent with the community.
ReplyDeleteAsk any cop and they will tell you call volume and crime is down. Yes you will get some crime because it’s a city, but it is not like it was 10-20 years ago. And APD does a good job solving the crimes that happen. Steady leadership attributes to this decline. A revolving door of chiefs causes cops jockeying for positions, and the focus becomes internal. 25% of the department will leave if Zucal wins the primary. That should show you how well respected he is with his “peers”.
ReplyDelete25% if up for retirement and have planned to leave by 2026 anyways no matter who wins. Nice try Tuerk or Genesis.
DeleteIf you remember the mass retirement was in 2005. That means approx 50-70 will have 20 years in next year. Plus the guys that were hired pre 2005. So 25% are leaving regardless. Guys leave because of working conditions, morale and when their pension is the highest. Not because of a new Mayor lol.
DeleteA revolving door is your justification for instability? Weak. Having incompetence in leadership positions does more damage than holding accountable those who don’t meet expectations.
Delete@12:59. Yes, the legacy of Mayor Afflerbach is still with Allentown. It will take many decades for that catastrophe to really be addressed.
Deleteanon@3:04: I must confess that I'm annoyed by the slogans. Pawlowski's City with no limits, apparently he also had no limits. Tuerk's Beating heart of Lehigh Valley, actually, bleeding heart of Lehigh Valley.
ReplyDeleteMy crystal ball tells me crime stats are way up and police are not doing there job. Drive by Allen and you too could see them making nice with the mother's while there children are in back alleys and west park smoking weed. This is one of the many tentacles of the economic development in the area tax payer money being wasted on the hype.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone put the word “beating” in a slogan about Allentown?
ReplyDeleteThe image the word conjures up when paired with Allentown is not a good one.
Here's a crime. Why hasn't officer Weaver been fired yet? And is still getting paid by the city while he awaits trial for rape? However when Ismael Segarra an Hispanic officer was charged with attempted homicide he was immediately fired after his preliminary hearing. Ofc. Weaver has not been fired and is slated for trial.
ReplyDeleteNYC also 'claims' crime is down. 'nuff said.
ReplyDeleteJust like political polls . . . Statistics are EASY to skew in one direction or another. Happens all the time. All one needs to do is change a few qualifying definitions, tweak a few dates, polish up something a little, etc..
Delete