SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new report on violent crime in Scranton is getting mixed reactions from city council and residents.
Some say it's too vague, while others see it as a critical first step.
The 2024 Scranton Community Health and Safety Landscape Analysis aims to understand the root causes of violence in Scranton and provide solutions.
The report highlights the city's proactive policing efforts and opportunities for improved collaboration.
During a city council meeting, Muflehun officials discussed the report findings, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to public safety, including more mental health services to support police.
"In the calls for service there's a huge increase in the calls for mental health issues, so that puts an extra burden on the police service, but there is not enough resources so that is where a lack of assets in the city does exist," Muflehun Executive Director Adnan Ansar said.
The report commended the Scranton Police for proactive policing, which made up over a quarter of service calls last year, and suggested improved hiring standards and coordination with service providers.
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"They were analyzing everything we did, and it was reassuring to know that we're on the right track in a lot of these areas, especially in mental health. We're not great at it, we're not perfect at it, but we're heading in the right direction and trying to get better," said Scranton Police Department Chief Thomas Carroll.
Some council members felt the report lacked community input and strategies
"What I'm taking from all this is what Muflehun is recommending, with that component with a partner with a social worker or someone because of mental health, some of this is already taking place," said Scranton City Council Vice President Mark McAndrew.
"So it wasn't written into the RFP that we actually communicate with the citizens who are experiencing the violence or the mental health issues or the issues in their neighborhoods," said Scranton City Council Councilmember William King.
While Police Chief Carroll found the analysis valuable for guiding the department's efforts, he agrees with these city council members.
"This is the most analysis ever conducted for public safety that I'm aware of, and it's going to help us optimize our own efforts, but I hear what you were saying, and I'm interested as well to get that feedback from our citizens on a real-time basis," Chief Carroll explained.
In a statement, Mayor Cognetti defended the analysis.
A well-rounded approach to the root causes of violent crime will help us sustain safety and improve the quality of life here in Scranton.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti
The report calls for better coordination among the local service providers in Scranton, such as beefing up those tactics of bringing mental health professionals to calls with the police.
Mulfehun says this will be crucial as the city prepares for potential population growth and demographic shifts.
