The Valley Looks the same everywhere (Philadelphia, Scranton: violent crime, safe area, university)

[Chefkey]

I have been noticing lately that much of the valley's blight seems to be everywhere. I am fine with this but living in Wilkes Barre I feel like the wicked stepchild with all the wilkes ain't so great stuff.

I will say though that I worked in Dickson City recently to help out and it was quite, remote? But the area was otherwise exactly the same.

Not sure about the bashing as it looked the same. Oh yeah, a few more crime problems err... Looks like the same old story

[FightinPhils]

Dickson City, remote? It borders Scranton and is right in the middle of the Lackawanna valley, how is that remote?

You are right about blight being everywhere...but the main problem with W-B is not the blight, its the crime. There's just been too much violent crime there the past few years, and hopefully something can be done to turn it around.

[SteelCityRising]

Wilkes-Barre's major problem IS its crime. Last year I think all of Lackawanna County only had 2 homicides. That was preceded by 0 in 2006 and I believe 1 in 2005. So far Luzerne County has already had at least two (if not three) homicides in just the first month of 2008! At this rate we'll have 24 murders this year in this county as opposed to perhaps 2 in Lackawanna County---this is for a county with only 33% more residents!

Wilkes-Barre isn't very blighted overall. On the contrary I feel like I'm walking through Beacon Hill in Boston or Olde City in Philadelphia when I start walking the quaint, tree-lined residential streets in the historic district near Wilkes University (that I photographed in one of my Diamond City photo tours). With the upcoming riverfront enhancements that are projected to be completed in one more year, the downtown area will be a much more attractive place to visit. However, it is pointless to have a "pretty" downtown if those who venture there are afraid of being mugged. Most crime in Wilkes-Barre is NOT random, but the "Chicken Littles" in Mountain Top, the Back Mountain, and other suburbs aren't so convinced of that when they read the extensive daily "Police Blotter" in the Times-Leader.

I've felt uneasy myself at times in the past while walking off the King's campus during the DAY, and that's sad considering I feel safer walking around Scranton, which has 30,000 MORE residents, at NIGHT!

Here are some pictures that showcase the beauty that could be fully realized in Wilkes-Barre if Mayor Leighton cared more about raising taxes and hiring MORE police officers to put a dent into crime. Most folks I've talked to in the city wouldn't mind stomaching a small tax increase to hire more police to patrol their neighborhoods; you can't put a price tag on peace of mind.
















So much potential...sigh...

[Chefkey]

At a WHOPPING 3% Tax rate for a small city which is the SAME percent as the state. We need to TELL Leighton that he needs to hire more police not ask him.

Funny, hearing the stats I still just don't see the crime. I don't feel scared, I don't see druggies or hoods on the corners. I walk past people and they say hi and I say hi back. We share doggie love and converse when it might look as though we aren't similar people. All this makes me feel that I am in a safe area.

I really do think that isolated spots are upping the numbers of crimes in Wilkes Barre making the whole town seem worse.