How is the Allentown area for raising kids?

[PA.Dutchman]

I agree, I took a Citizens Police Academy Course offered by the County to Allentown Residents several months last fall.

The PA. State Police reviewed the gangs in Allentown. Three have been positively identified, the Bloods, the Cripps and the Latin Kings. Some MS-13 gang members have visited the area to check it out.

The State Police Gangs Expert explained the gangs are recruiting children in the Elementary Schools now to take over when the older members are locked up or killed.

He demonstrated some of Hand Signals that can keep you alive or get you killed depending on who sees them. He mentioned if we see any children using them to be concerned.

The next day I was volunteering in a center city elementary class, it was Second Grade. In the back of the room a boy was showing these very hand signals to another boy.

I reported to the teacher and the prinicpal was going to keep and eye on the boy and pass the information on.

Lehigh and Northampton Countys both had their DAs at the classes. There are soooooo many cars being stolen in the Allentown and Bethlehem that the have combined together to fight the thefts.

They have a Joint Stolen Car Task-force but it hasn't helped with all the Hit and Runs that occur as well in this area.

[lilith16]

if you dont mind moving a bit further and being in a liberal environment the philly burbs are great. there are tons of quaint little close nit communities and everything you could ever want to blocks away. The high schools of the area are almost all ranked in the top 50 and the middle and elementary schools hold a strong lead as well. the only catch is its pricey, living on the main line means big bucks. But if you play your cards right you might not have to shell out as much as those around you. Its definitley a safer environment for kids and should truly be looked into for the sake of their educations.

[toobusytoday]

There are many small towns surrounding Allentown and Bethlehem. Check out these towns - The Borough of Emmaus Pennsylvania Official Web Site or http://www.nazarethborough.com/ or Coopersburg Historical Society or http://www.macungie.pa.us/ The Philadelphia burbs have nothing on the Lehigh Valley towns.