Gang influences in pa (Allentown, Reading: crime rate, neighborhoods, school districts)

[mom2gurls]

Just curious if anyone would kindly respond to this......I havent had much luck in finding out specifically what areas the gang infiltration is in pa.

We are considering Lehigh valley area/Bucks county area or lower saucon valley area.

The schools appear to be good, neighborhoods appear to be fine....so whats the deal with the crime rate and gangs?

Where are they, what cities do we NOT want to live near?

[NSHL10]

Reading for sure. The DEA just gave PA lots of bucks for patrolling Route 222 from Reading to Lancaster. It's called the "heroin highway". This is part of what has made me start to question moving to the Ephrata area, as it's right of Route 222.

[mjk1093]

Ephrata has had a substantial drug problem for quite some time. When I was in HS all the druggies would drive down there to score. The town is a weird mix of super-religious with a lot of shady characters walking around as well.

[mom2gurls]

Anyone have comments on the lehigh area????

[lititzman2003]

I didn't realize Ephrata had a drug problem. The town seems nice and quiet; downtown has alot of charm. I guess looks can really be deceiving.

[graysmom8]

Hi, we live in the Lehigh Valley and love it! There is some gang activity in the city of Allentown (from what I've read in the paper), so I'd stay away from there all together (although there are some nice parts on the one side, you'd have to know the area to be sure you'd be in a good section). Parkland and East Penn School Districts are both very good districts with more well-to-do families, but still lower taxes. Let me know if I can answer specific questions you may have.

I'd stay away from Reading like others have said. We haven't even been to the VF outlets in years because it's just a run down creepy area and we're afraid to get lost with their confusing streets.

GraysMom

[mjk1093]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

I didn't realize Ephrata had a drug problem. The town seems nice and quiet; downtown has alot of charm. I guess looks can really be deceiving.

Maybe it's better now than it used to be. Of course, a town can look quite charming at 3 PM and downright scary at 3 AM there's many parts of NYC like that too.

[trixxie]

Originally Posted by graysmom8

Hi, we live in the Lehigh Valley and love it! There is some gang activity in the city of Allentown (from what I've read in the paper), so I'd stay away from there all together (although there are some nice parts on the one side, you'd have to know the area to be sure you'd be in a good section). Parkland and East Penn School Districts are both very good districts with more well-to-do families, but still lower taxes. Let me know if I can answer specific questions you may have.

I'd stay away from Reading like others have said. We haven't even been to the VF outlets in years because it's just a run down creepy area and we're afraid to get lost with their confusing streets.

GraysMom

i agree parkland and that area are pretty much the best areas! i wouldnt move into allentown. alot of gangs and drugs.

[Marodi]

Lancaster and Ephrata are really picking up in gang activity and all that goodness from an influence from reading. Parts of york are starting to decay. There is the occasional story in Harrisburg about gang activity. As long as you stay out of the actual city itself and stay in the suburbs in most of the areas in south central PA it's significantly safe than in the cities.

[Anon]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

I didn't realize Ephrata had a drug problem. The town seems nice and quiet; downtown has alot of charm. I guess looks can really be deceiving.

There used to be Klan rallies there, IIRC. Yeah, great place to raise a family.