The Bad, the terrible and the worst of NEPA (Scranton: 2013, to live)

[theatergypsy]

Originally Posted by Freaklander

You can bet your bottom dollar that a high percentage of the crime in these gated developments never get to the media. What is the advantage for the elected officers in these places to let the real facts and figures out? All that will do is attract more of the wrong people and decrease property values. And yet, seems like numerous people here push these nightmares on people looking to move here.

This is not relative to Wilkes-Barre. The gated developments exist mainly in the Poconos and as far as numerous people pushing them, I can only think of one or two.

The city of Wilkes-Barre has become a haven for the dispossessed because of the relative ease of acquiring benefits and selling drugs. That doesn't mean that there are no good people living there.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

for the dispossessed because of the relative ease of acquiring benefits...

That's certainly one big reason, they come here becsue PA is generous with the benefits and the crime is following them. Liberal social policies have destroyed black communities in the inner city and it's creeping into our area over the last two decades.

[Abundantly_Above]

Originally Posted by quiet life

Need more police presence here.

This just happened in Pine Ridge in Lehman township this past Friday.
State Police investigate attempted kidnapping - News - The Times-Tribune

This happened last year in Monroe County but Denis Lyttle lives in The Glen at Tamiment. He's out on bail last I heard.
Three Men Charged in Kidnapping | WNEP.com

This happened 2 years ago in Saw Creek Estates.
Attempted kidnapping reported in Saw Creek Estates | PoconoRecord.com

Re: the second incident...not that I'm pleased to have that guy as a neighbor, and I agree there needs to be more police presence in Bushkill...but to be fair, this happened to a grown man with a history of drug dealing. According to the Pocono Record (Three charged in kidnapping of Blakeslee man | PoconoRecord.com), "Police said the alleged victim, Brian Maier, told them he once sold drugs and that he had been kidnapped because a friend owed one of the suspects drug money."

I find the other two incidents very troubling. I'm glad neither attempted abduction was successful.

[Freaklander]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

This is not relative to Wilkes-Barre. The gated developments exist mainly in the Poconos and as far as numerous people pushing them, I can only think of one or two.

The title of the thread is "The Bad, the terrible and the worst of NEPA" Last time I checked, the gated communities ARE located in the NEPA region. Seems my post IS relative to the posted topic. Your condescending effort to correct me IS off topic however.

[theatergypsy]

Originally Posted by Freaklander

The title of the thread is "The Bad, the terrible and the worst of NEPA" Last time I checked, the gated communities ARE located in the NEPA region. Seems my post IS relative to the posted topic. Your condescending effort to correct me IS off topic however.

Condescending was not my intent, but if that's your perception...

I simply made a statement that gated communities exist mainly in the Poconos. Yes, indeed, the Poconos are located in the NEPA region; unfortunately, many people forget that there is a lot more to the NEPA region than just the Poconos.

Part of the "Bad, the terrible and the worst of NEPA" does exist in Wilkes-Barre - along with some decent people who would like to see it better.

Nothing more to see here.

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

Condescending was not my intent, but if that's your perception...

I simply made a statement that gated communities exist mainly in the Poconos. Yes, indeed, the Poconos are located in the NEPA region; unfortunately, many people forget that there is a lot more to the NEPA region than just the Poconos.

Part of the "Bad, the terrible and the worst of NEPA" does exist in Wilkes-Barre - along with some decent people who would like to see it better.

Nothing more to see here.

I love the way you express yourself! Let's face it there many are many areas of this gorgeous part of PA that could use a good flush to clean out the system! Have a good day and lets make it a great one for all those that we lost to soon on this day not so long ago.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

Condescending was not my intent, but if that's your perception...

I simply made a statement that gated communities exist mainly in the Poconos. Yes, indeed, the Poconos are located in the NEPA region; unfortunately, many people forget that there is a lot more to the NEPA region than just the Poconos.

Part of the "Bad, the terrible and the worst of NEPA" does exist in Wilkes-Barre - along with some decent people who would like to see it better.

Nothing more to see here.

I still think that it boils down to: How do we correct a downhill slide? One police report after another does not help the image of our area. I am not suggesting to stop reporting! But we do need ways to turn away from the violence and destruction. Where are all the good stories of gun clubs and shooting events? Actually I would like to see more stories of community involvement (Boy/Girl Scouts, litter cleanup, neighborhood watch, feeding the poor, etc.). We just need more stories of people helping people and setting a better example for our young. I also realize that this is a simplistic look at the problems and that it is extremely hard to change the drug/gang attitudes. It is also extremely hard for commuters that do not have the time to spend with their family. But we have to start someplace.

[quiet life]

^^^Granted. There are good things going on in the Poconos and they need to be highlighted more. Maybe perception could be changed in that regard. The tourist industry is the only business sector that is thriving up here. Hence, the money grab in the underground economy.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by quiet life

^^^Granted. There are good things going on in the Poconos and they need to be highlighted more. Maybe perception could be changed in that regard. The tourist industry is the only business sector that is thriving up here. Hence, the money grab in the underground economy.

For years the tourist industry suppressed stories of criminal activity. They did not want negative press. It is a relatively new phenomenon that our local press is reporting most criminal activity. You have to understand that most of the advertising dollars came from that tourist industry. It might not even be the fault of the local press; there were problems with the different municipalities and their reporting (possibly politically influenced)? But it is what it is and there is now more crime being reported + possibly there is just more crime to report?

There is also the problem of sensationalism. Goody two-shoes stories are not sensational. The press wants to get your attention and we have a very short attention span today. You spend hours or days on a resume and the interviewer traditionally gives it a twenty second glance. So; how do we highlight stories that focus on the positive?

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by fisheye

For years the tourist industry suppressed stories of criminal activity. They did not want negative press. It is a relatively new phenomenon that our local press is reporting most criminal activity. You have to understand that most of the advertising dollars came from that tourist industry. It might not even be the fault of the local press; there were problems with the different municipalities and their reporting (possibly politically influenced)? But it is what it is and there is now more crime being reported + possibly there is just more crime to report?

There is also the problem of sensationalism. Goody two-shoes stories are not sensational. The press wants to get your attention and we have a very short attention span today. You spend hours or days on a resume and the interviewer traditionally gives it a twenty second glance. So; how do we highlight stories that focus on the positive?

If we as consumers stop responding to the sensationalism the media feeds us, they will change. No matter what we would like to think the news is big business. So if we change their bottom line they will take notice and change. We as individuals have to show our friends, families, and young people that it is not true that nice guys finish last and we do not have to be a dog eat dog community to prosper, grow and be happy.