From what I can piece together from my low cost inland Space Coast office, there was a Fight Club event in Clyde E. Bosket, aka Valania Park. For a couple hundred or more youth to meet up at a designated place and time, it wasn't spontaneous, but promoted and circulated on social media.
The Allentown Police Department states that it was be investigated, and the responsible culprits held accountable. One must wonder if they will have more success with this mission than they're having with the dirt bike issue.
As a long time park advocate, I previously posted that I would be visiting city council with some recommendations. I have since changed my mind. In the past year I have made my suggestions known to several people who have influence with the system. It is their decision if they care to take advantage of my familiarity with the parks.
I believe it was just last September when politicians were falling all over themselves ahead of the municipal election to show their connection with the local minority community by renaming the park after Mr. Bosket.
ReplyDeleteThat this event was organized online and took place mere blocks from City Hall and police headquarters tells you everything you need to know about how safe the city actually is.
Perhaps a better way to honor Mr. Bosket - and others - would be by actually improving the city’s neighborhoods instead of simply pandering with useless proclamations and other gimmicks like changing the names of city parks.
Thank you for keeping us, your long time readership, informed. I respect your decision to not approach City Council at this time.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor, APD Chief, and the community has the opportunity to address the situation or to drop the ball on their own. It seems like a contribution
from a wise, experienced observer like you is not appreciated, unfortunately.
Multiple sources indicate that former Mayor Ed Pawlowski is set to be released from Federal Prison in the next several months and hopes to return to public service. With his knowledge of Allentown and its people Mr. Pawlowski would be an excellent candidate to act as a community ombudsman tasked with building bridges and reducing conflict in the neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteanon@1:02: I should clarify...my recommendations have nothing to do with the commotion at Bosket Park, that would be under the recreation department. My concerns remain with the traditional park system, and also the WPA structures.
ReplyDeleteIn the past year I have made my suggestions known to several people who have influence with the system.
ReplyDeleteWould it make sense to put the suggestions into a single list in order of priority/urgency and post it here so that others can advocate for the same improvements?
Sometimes bureaucrats need to hear the same thing from different sources before they’ll act.
Violence returns to Valania Park.
ReplyDeleteThe number of participants is shocking but we can be thankful that no one was gunned down in broad daylight on the basketball court.
Will the Jester Mayor even remember that fatal incident?
Did he live in the Lehigh Valley at the time?
I’m anticipating a visit from the performative Mayor and a statement about how this is not representative of the once Queen City, after all he has developed an expertise in all things public safety and he has other mayors who have their own extensive experience pre coded into his cell phone. Commiseration is only a call away. Everyone needs a little public relations guidance now and again. What are famous friends for if not to share some advice when there appears to be an inconvenient situation?
The Mayor will continue to walk among his people and troubled waters will be calmed.
ReplyDeleteWere the participants students from William Allen H.S.? Was there any connection to the ASD?
Golly one hopes not.
The spectacular renaissance of Allentown will continue unabated. Young urban professionals will continue to flock to Allentown to live in the abundance of urban luxury and contemporary amenities.
The future is so bright they will have to wear shades.
I know that Molovinsky on Allentown likes to avoid the negative but let’s he honest for a moment. Allentown is becoming a sh_t hole country and no one with options is going to send their children into the Allentown School District.
ReplyDeleteanon@9:48/10:05: Allentown has a large poor demographic, and it has been such for years....consequently, it is a default school system. However, I see the situation as stable, and even improving, as many new comers from years ago are now better established. While no one has ever accused me of optimism, we need more of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the City of Allentown’s Violence Prevention Officer have to bring to the table here?
ReplyDelete“Safety is the bedrock of a thriving community.”
ReplyDeleteMayor Matt
Where’s Promise Neighborhoods?
ReplyDeleteWhy not post this comment?