Allentown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Police station and fire/health building right-sizing
The city scrapped the $40 million police station expansion for a renovation approach under energy-savings legislation and cut the fire/health building from $65 million to about $45 million, cutting next year's borrowing to $30 million.
Human Relations Commission Administrative Updates
The Human Relations Commission scheduled a virtual training session regarding state and local HRC roles, alongside standard administrative updates and committee reports. These ongoing administrative procedures ensure commissioners stay informed on civil rights enforcement and community outreach.
Fire Department Administrative Staffing
Allentown is upgrading a part-time fire clerk position to full-time to handle daily administrative tasks and keep the office open all day. The change costs almost nothing extra since the funds were already mostly set aside.
Civil Service Rules Review
The board initiated a series of meetings dedicated to reviewing and updating established civil service rules.
Municipal Vehicle Accountability and Controller Audit
The city controller reported a p-card audit finding where a city vehicle illegally passed a stopped school bus, sparking debate over driver accountability and union contracts.
Allentown Fire and EMS Equipment Upgrade
The fire department is getting state grant money to replace outdated hoses and nozzles, some of which are from the 1990s and cost nearly $1,800 each.
Commissioner Investigation Training
Commissioners received specialized training on how to handle and conduct investigations effectively.
Police Misconduct Lawsuit
Allentown is getting sued by free speech advocates because local cops allegedly roughed up and arrested someone just for filming them. That means your hard-earned tax dollars are likely going to fund the city's legal defense in this mess.
Police Investigation
An Allentown city worker who claimed someone left a noose on her desk is now facing criminal charges for allegedly faking the whole incident herself. It's a wild twist that wastes public resources and shakes trust in the city's workplace culture.
Police Misconduct
A viral video showing an Allentown cop kneeling on a man's neck during an arrest has sparked major outrage and put local police accountability back in the spotlight. Everyone's asking how the department handles use-of-force and whether officers will actually face consequences.