I know a little about Kline's Island, enough to know that the LCA and the city had to know about the camp being there. I had no issue with the city removing the camps from Jordan Meadows. That area was a new addition to our park system, and was causing a hardship to adjoining properties.
I was somewhat surprised when the city administration removed the camp just south of Union Street. That camp adjoined no residential real estate. I was told on good source, that eviction resulted from a complaint from Promise Neighborhoods.
Homeless camps are nothing new to any city. While traditionally, most of the occupants had social issues, in these times, high rents are another cause. No city administration is going to solve the problem and eliminate camps. Hopefully, the unfortunate occupants will find another location which doesn't result in municipal interference.
photocredit/The Morning Call: Shown above former city councilwoman Emma Tropiano, camping near Kline's Island in her 1989 campaign for mayor.
I'm not here to be polite or popular
This city now has at least four homeless shelters and more social programs and drop in centers than ever. This is what we are now known for and neighboring municipalities, near and far, are taking full advantage sending their homeless to Allentown. Enough.
ReplyDeleteIf there appears to be a problem appear to find a solution.
ReplyDeleteWondering who in the administration makes decisions like this one. It seems unlikely to be either the titular mayor or his police chief.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that there is no cohesive strategy to address the population of homeless in Allentown.
ReplyDeleteanon@3:41: There are some local freelance, maverick activists such as Eddie Aviles with ideas, but no means. And the ones with means aren't motivated. In fairness to Allentown, this is an issue all across the country.
ReplyDeleteIn fact few urban municipalities have a coherent plan. Allentown lurches from situation to situation, like most urban regimes.
ReplyDeleteYes, Allentown is just another minority majority urban center on a steady trajectory of yearly decline.
I’m sorry, was there a plan or a solution somewhere in your comment? I missed it.
DeleteNo need to apologize. I’m neither the Mayor, the Police Chief nor any other cabinet level official. I focus on doing my own job in line with best practices and continuous improvement.Im fully accountable to my employees, customers and stakeholders.
DeleteNat Hyman for Mayor!
DeleteMake Allentown the All American City again.
Bring back Lisa Pawlowski, former First Lady. She ended homelessness in Allentown during the glory years.
ReplyDeleteIt looked to me like the encampment was on parcel 640669418427 owned by Norfolk & Southern. Maybe its time N&S fence off their properties as they are becoming magnets for encampments. We have the EAC overseeing interns on a Litter Assessment, which may possibly result in yet more regulations on homeowners and landlords. Meanwhile,
ReplyDeletethe encampments generate more litter and garbage than 110,000 everyday citizens combined, right next to streams and rivers.