Is it just my perception, or are there more shootings going on? I can't ask the administration, or their statistics will say nope! Can't afford to ask Promise Neighborhoods, or my taxes will go up to give them more grants. Can't ask my Democratic representatives, they all stick together. Can't ask my city Republicans, because there aren't any. If the newspaper still had an office, maybe I could go down there and ask.
For those who share my curiosity about this, you're stuck with my observations. I'm beginning to wonder if there are any denizens out there not armed? I don't see any political/police crackdown on the horizon. I wish the mayor would spend less time jogging and biking, and more time trying to drive down Tilghman Street at 5:00PM. We don't need more basketball courts, we need more police taking violators to district court.
This blog is one place that the city won't get a pass. Years ago Philly had to elect a former tough police chief to clean the place up...I think Allentown needs a Rizzo or Giuliani.
artwork by Mark Beyer
The latest shooting saw a man with an Audi and a bat attacking a man in a Prius. Mayor McPronouns decried the “easy access to guns” as the problem. No mention of the bat and the 6 foot 5 aggressor. Thank God the Prius driver had a gun lest he get brained by an angry man with a bat. Mayor McPronouns is out of touch by a country mile. We need Ed. Zucal.
ReplyDeleteI don’t believe that the situation with easy access to baseball bats can afford to be neglected and longer. Parents should be aware of where and how both wooden and aluminum bats are stored and teach responsibility safety measures to prevent bat assaults.
DeleteIt’s no secret that the U.S. leads the world in violent incidents involving baseball bats.
In the latest episode, right now it appears that the person who shot the gentleman who forced his car to the curb and swung a bat at him has not been charged.
ReplyDeleteTime will tell if the shooting was truly justified, but I’d say the shooter was fortunate to have a licensed firearm with him. A second swing of the bat could have crushed his skull, instead of just smashing the car door like the first swing did.
That the incident occurred so close to City Hall and the Police Department tells you all you need to know about the deterrent value of the city’s cameras and other technology that supposedly deters violent behavior.
The fact is, if you drive in Allentown, this is who you share the road with. Anyone driving in the city - anywhere in the city - could be confronted by a bat-wielding (or worse) maniac.
The law-abiding would be wise to make sure they’re armed. Promise Neighborhoods is MIA until the chalk outlines are drawn, and the police won’t be there in time to protect you - even if you’re just a block away from their HQ.
Check the video of the last night shooting in Philadelphia. Happened at a cookout on 27th Street. Simply shocking. 150 rounds shot by 6 shooters. NO ONE ARRESTED. I can see this happening in Allentown.
DeleteIn that video it had looked like the orange shirts fired first.
DeleteWithout Promises Neighborhood the situation in Allentown would be much, much, worse.
DeleteDenial seems to be the word for the day.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt Allentown needs to stop ignoring problematic residents and their careless, disrespectful behaviors. Illegal, and borderline illegal, behaviors that make life miserable for those stuck living with it all in their neighborhoods. Those fortunate enough to live outside Allentown can pretty much avoid venturing into its boundaries.
ReplyDeleteThe worst among us are having their way, arrogantly thumbing their nose at regulations meant to keep order for everyone. There is a reason Allentown’s decline continues . . . . it’s tolerated.
Allentown city officials are failing those citizens who just want to live in peace and harmony. Much easier to just look the other way, it seems.
Leadership. Where?
Geez, the Mayor’s editorial in the Morning Call (some still read that) is a real beauty. He praises all Mayors as the ones who can actually get things done to make the lives of their citizens better.
ReplyDeleteBut, with the other hand, he wants us to believe the Trump Administration is holding back his leadership abilities. A real primer here on “passing the buck.” Roll up your own sleeves, Tuerk!
None of these shootings are a threat to public safety or give any indication of urban chaos and disorder. It's all just a coincidence, pay no attention to them. Remember Allentown is moving forward and is a lovely welcoming city.
ReplyDelete5:59 -
ReplyDeleteIf the Mayor really cared, and was willing to walk the neighborhoods of Allentown with a purpose, he would find that the bulk of the problems are coming from a relative few problem properties on each square block. The ones that have litter problems likely also have noise problems (or worse).
If he cared, he’d put pressure on those problem properties, often rentals, and pressure the owners to get their properties (and tenants) in line. Once those problems are removed, go to the next level and repeat the process. That way you get constant improvement.
If he cared.
anon@7:29: Problem properties are one thing, problem people are another. I'm more concerned with the latter. I believe that more traffic stops would help with guns and violence. HOWEVER, politics is now pandering. Speak Spanish to one demographic, steer grants to another. The goal is re-election, not public safety.
DeleteThe Mayor really does care. Stop with the Negative Nancy comments already.
DeleteThe Mayor is an accomplished firearms aficionado. People can mock him all they want to but he knows what he’s talking about and the good citizens of Allentown would do well to heed his advice.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to guns, or public safety in general, Mayor Matt is a leader that other Pennsylvania politicians turn to for advice during tough times.
What are you talking about? No one looks to Matt Tuerk for anything except to laugh at. Him and the Chief claim crime is down, things are safe. Mike here is right their is something bad everyday. Mayor Tuerk is only concerned about winning the election. He wants the Chief by his side, because the Chief has turned into his yes man. Roca will never be a tough or.good police chief like Philly once had. He has never been a street cop out there fighting crime head on
DeleteAnyone can sit behind a a desk like the current chiefs and act like they know what they are doing and bark useless orders. The officers wont work for Chief Roca, and laugh at Matt Tuerk. Until they go, things will stay the same or get worse.
0739. I hope your completely joking about what you wrote. Cause I can't stop laughing.
DeleteThis has to be satire.
Deletescott@12:39: Yes, and this blog will be accepting less to no satirical comments in the future...they generate too many clarifications, and not enough content. by the end of the thread.
DeleteIt’s the same theory at play here. A young child will reach out and touch a hot stovetop burner. But, he/she will only do that once! The kid makes a bad choice, get burned, and pays a price. Never makes that mistake again.
ReplyDeleteThere NEEDS to be a real penalty for breaking the law. Until our leadership accepts this simple truth, and responds appropriately, the bad decisions will continue to be made.
The mess that is Allentown can be turned around. Symptom-cure won't work, the improvement will start only with political change. If you are fighting a snake and you step on its tail, it will bite you. You must cut off its head. Unfortunately for Allentown - and the Lehigh Valley and the State of Pennsylvania - the democrat party has exactly what it wants from Allentown, that is, poll numbers that show future office holders will all be democrat. No matter what else goes wrong in Allentown (and the decline shows no sign of slowing) nothing will change until the people vote for political change.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Allentown under Matt Tuerk, has once again closed down Adult Day Care at Molovinsky on Allentown. I'll still risk taking a few comments, if they are original, and not just reworded previous submissions.
ReplyDeleteAt the recent Conference of Mayors Mayor Matt Turek was acknowledged as a leading proponent of the cross functional team approach evaluating and developing cutting edge technologies reducing crime.
ReplyDeleteSafe cities encourage innovation, investment, growth and prosperity.
The business leaders of Allentown appreciate this Mayor’s commitment to innovation.
anon@11:21: There is only one business leader in Allentown, and he appreciates the city's compliance to his agenda. We're dressing up the small privately held buildings on Hamilton and 7th ,to make the streetscapes more appealing for his benefit. We're moving the museum and art district closer to his new theater and hotel. Matt and the assorted mice couldn't be more cooperative.
DeleteClearly the Council of Mayors either doesn’t know him or has him confused with another Mayor. Matt is no leader and should only be recognized for complacency and more of the same old Allentown games.
DeleteOh boy, love the comments! Hasn't anyone figured out this malarkey is all planned and desired? Allentown is turning, or HAS turned, into the no-go zone of the Valley.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:21. There are only a few people that would know or care about what happened at that conference. The mayor or 3-4 of his staff that went. So if your going to defend Matt let's not make it so obvious. Also, I do not think a hippie from Colorado is a pioneer in fighting crime. Do you even watch the news? Its becoming a war zone, and the parks and rivers look like a 3rd world country on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteMM, I understand that you don’t particularly like questions but I need to ask.
ReplyDeleteGiven the obvious decline in the quality of life in Allentown, the reputation of the ASD, and city services in relationship to the tax rate, perhaps you could do a post.
Why is the value of property still so outrageously high?
anon@12:59: good question! High rents are generating the cash flow for investors. Comp prices are justifying for homeowners. But, as you note, the prices are so high, a 2008 bubble wouldn't surprise me. If that happens, there will be a lot of plywood and blight.
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