Most serious crime down in Easton

Although overall crime in Easton decreased by 4.4 percent last year, the number of some serious offenses -- homicides, robbery and simple assault -- rose by 20 percent in the same time.

[In the Know]

So what they are trying to say is that the City of Easton doesn't suck- we're just imagining it.

EPD isn't corrupt- we're imaging it.

There is no global warming- we're imagining it.

Gas prices aren't high- we're imagining it.

Get my point? Don't believe this political double-talk folks. This is the local government trying to brainwash you into believing the City of Easton is safe. It is not, PERIOD.

[Humorous]

So, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Ryan...when factoring these statistics, what variables and correlates where used? If it is a real document we should see everything in it and not just what you two want the publc to see...I assure you that your correlates and varibales and an indepependant, objective person that conducts the tudy will vary...That is becasue you need to skew them to benefit yourselves...Perhaps your stats are down because less crime was reported simply becasue less crimes were brought to the attention of EPD? Maybe that is because citizens lost confidence in EPD...Or, perhaps some crimes were misclassified? Another reason is some criminals decided to do more serious crimes since they had not be caught doing less serious crimes-crime escalation...So, your stats on petty crimes are decreased and serious crimes increased...Using stats to your advantage is a flaw many misinformed, shallow, individuals make...know your stats, know how you obtained them and show all of your varibales and correlates when revealing them in order to be completely upfront with the public or don't use them and show better, real proof that you have made progress...These stats are a very weak argument on your behalf...we se the problems in Easton on a daily basis, stop talking and do something about it...

[catty kid]

they would be back at full staff if several officers were not on paid administrative leave for committing crimes themselves, easton pd is becoming the laughing stock of the valley

[Billy Givens]

While 500 votes and e-mails to the Williams Township supervisory Board re the Chrin Brothers Landfill expansion request to PADEP,more than 600 signatures to the governing body of the township's neighboring Easton opposing that municipality's Riverwalk at the first so-called "Public Hearing" staged by the city's corrupt Mayor Philip B. Mitman and his political stooge J. Michael dowd "representing" Northampton County's produced only the promises of these two venal officials of additional "Public Hearings."

One thing I know for sure. Crimes of the kind committed by Easton Mayor Philip B. Mitman, Police Captain David Ryan, Police captain Michael Vangelo, and Northampton County Council District 2 - which includes Easton - J. Michael Dowd have increased.

[Ken and Kelly Souders]

In response to the comment in today's Morning Call by Captain Dave Ryan regarding the Guardian Angels, stating that the Guardian Angels are a vigilante justice force; we would like to state the following....
Many folks, at first, have the misconception that the Guardian Angels are a vigilante group taking the law of their town into their own hands. We are speaking of any town that may have thought of starting a Guardian Angel Chapter, not singling out Easton. However, upon doing research and asking questions, one would discover that this is not the case at all. In any town where a Guardian Angel Chapter is started the number one goal is to be the "eyes and ears" for the town's local police department, or state police. There are chapters that have started due to the fact that they have no local or municipal police department.
We are not here with our own personal agenda, but a group agenda to keep ourselves and others safe & clean up our town. I believe this goal is shared with any law enforcement official.
This too, is our goal here in Easton. Any amount of officers cannot be everywhere all of the time. The Guardian Angels will not be able to be everywhere all of the time. Everyone has jobs, and requires sleep, food, and family time. This is part of being human. All though we are happy to hear Mayor Panto speak of hiring additional police officers in the next year, having the Guardian Angels in Easton can only help assist all of the Easton PD. As a visual deterant to crime, all crime, and being additional eyes out on the streets developing relationships with the residents of Easton, we don't see how any of this could hurt. We are all fully aware of the risks of those in our city that do not want to see our presence due to the risk of them losing business. Gangs and their drug businesses. However, we refuse to have our town overtaken by this activity. Therefore, as volunteer residents of Easton, we are getting out to be the visual deterent that the Guardian Angels represent. Rest assured that we will not and do not plan to make the Easton PD's job more difficult by becoming victims. This is why we endure 12 weeks of physical, and phychological training. Self defense courses, situational scenerios, as well as first aid and CPR training to assist anyone medically, should the situation arrise.
We hope to have the support of the Easton PD, Mayor Panto, and all other city officials some day. We understand that we will have to work for a trusting, and cooperative relationship to develop between the Guardian Angels and these city officials. We are certainly prepared to do that work.
Lt. John Remaley and Mayor Panto have both attended meetings that we have held here in Easton to obtain information about the Guardian Angels, including how the organization is run and what we do. We appreciate their interest and guidance through our learning period.
As for past, and future meetings Mayor Panto, Chief Larry Palmer, any and all captains, leutenants, detectives, vice, and officers have been invited and are always welcome to attend. We have on numerous occassions also invited any members from our City Council.
We would also, as we have not in the past, like to extend the invitation to our EMS & Fire personel. Our training has begun and is held at the Easton Area Community Center, 901 Washington St. Easton. Attending one of our meetings will leave anyone better informed. Also, feel free to check out the Guardian Angels website at, www.guardianangels.org . There is a lot of useful information on the site. We are still learning from it.
For a schedule of our training sessions, or for any questions please contact us.
Ken Souders at [e-mail]
Kelly Souders at [e-mail]

Knowledge is Power !

[CITIZEN76]

whatever!

[Easton Pride]

WEED AND SEED OFFICIAL:
"The State chose the “target area” around 2000, it is 6th to 15th streets North and South of Northampton St."

MORNING CALL ARTICLE:
"...the number of some serious offenses -- homicides, robbery and simple assault -- rose by 20 percent..."
"In 2007, all five homicides, half of the 14 rapes and more than half of the 13 arsons were reported there."

CAPTAIN DAVE RYAN:
''As long as groups like Weed and Seed continue to work with us, we will be fine.''

easton city officials should get used to being under the microscope AGAIN in '08 with spin such as this!

[Skeezix]

I got lost down near the "Circle" last week. I asked the cop, "How far is it to the State Theater?" He replied, "Dunno...so far no one's made it."

[no GuardAnge]

"[inrequires sleep, food, and family time. This is part of being human. All though we are happy to hear [e-mail]
Kelly Souders at [e-mail]

blah, blah, blah, blah

No guardian angels.......... They're just wannabes that are gonna get somebody hurt.... Judging from the looks of some of the people who were at the meeting, they will be the ones getting hurt. Thus, adding to the call volume of the already undertaffed easton cops.

[whos worse in easton]

Hey I wonder if the report about the crimes also includes the eastons dirtyest (i meant finest but that doen't apply here) crimes they have been commiting? and will the G-Angel also protect us from them too?

[JOIN OUR PARADE]

I know I fell safer when going through easton (NOT)

[Bryan 3620]

This is not news.
Violent crime went down 4.4%...Violent crime went up 4.4%.
Uh, that means nothing.
If we were talking about this stuff going up or down 85%...that would mean something.
The fact is...No police department can "stop" or "reduce" violent crimes like murder, rape, or robbery.
The police only get called in after the fact.
The only way police can be "proactive" on these crimes is if there was a police officer assigned to every person. That way a cop could say, "Hey man, you can't kill that guy, I will stop you." Or, "Hey dude, I won't let you rob that guy or rape that woman."
The only people that can help bring down violent crime numbers are citizens.
If we call police when someone looks like they are "up to something", if we are mindful of people around us, if we take the appropriate steps to defend ourselves and our loved ones...that can reduce violent crime.
Don't blame anyone for this except loser criminals and the losers that run around saying, "No snitching".

[Bryan 3620]

Ken and Kelly Souders wrote:

In response to the comment in today's Morning Call by Captain Dave Ryan regarding the Guardian Angels, stating that the Guardian Angels are a vigilante justice force; we would like to state the following....
Many folks, at first, have the misconception that the Guardian Angels are a vigilante group taking the law of their town into their own hands. We are speaking of any town that may have thought of starting a Guardian Angel Chapter, not singling out Easton. However, upon doing research and asking questions, one would discover that this is not the case at all. In any town where a Guardian Angel Chapter is started the number one goal is to be the "eyes and ears" for the town's local police department, or state police. There are chapters that have started due to the fact that they have no local or municipal police department.
We are not here with our own personal agenda, but a group agenda to keep ourselves and others safe & clean up our town. I believe this goal is shared with any law enforcement official.

Someone a lot smarter than I once said, "Only a fool continues the same path if he needs a different result".
I think it would be a great idea.
The ones in charge are just afraid.
There is so much "legal" things they would have to go through to give you guys the "green" light.
Let's see if they are willing to put in that time and effort.

[Darrell]

Statistics are very misleading, I have found the average police officer talks complainants out of having a report written, suggesting that would take away from proactive patrols... No, I do not believe crime is down, I believe law enforcement across the nation plays this game and reports fluff... Hard to not take a report on homicides, but many of the rest are often "handled by officer" and never get truely reported.

[Misbiz]

Billy Givens wrote:

While 500 votes and e-mails to the Williams Township supervisory Board re the Chrin Brothers Landfill expansion request to PADEP,more than 600 signatures to the governing body of the township's neighboring Easton opposing that municipality's Riverwalk at the first so-called "Public Hearing" staged by the city's corrupt Mayor Philip B. Mitman and his political stooge J. Michael dowd "representing" Northampton County's produced only the promises of these two venal officials of additional "Public Hearings."
One thing I know for sure. Crimes of the kind committed by Easton Mayor Philip B. Mitman, Police Captain David Ryan, Police captain Michael Vangelo, and Northampton County Council District 2 - which includes Easton - J. Michael Dowd have increased.

What the hell does Williams Township have to do with this thread????

[Billy Givens]

By "thread" you mean, "Sit down and shut up," and leave it to our elected and appointed officials like Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and the city's Police Chief Larry Palmer and his Caaptains David Ryan and Michael Vangelo to frame the issues of grave importance to the health and welfare of the community.

[citizenX]

as a resident and business owner in the city, i can tell you that serious crime IS down in certain areas of the city, specifically the downtown. the more serious crimes that have been resently reported are mostly occurring in a section of the city called the WW. this portion of our community has suffered decades of neglect, mismanagement and apathy; none of which should be tossed at the feet of the EPD. they are merely reacting to the problems that that section of the community itself has created and only that community can change it. i agree with Bryan3620, it is the prevailing attitudes of those who live there that are letting the crime fester. get up and do something about it instead of waiting for someone to do it for you.

as for the gaurdian angels, i sincerely hope that there presents represents a positive action, but that can only occur if they choose to work with the community and the EPD and not act as a rogue endeavor with a cowboy on every corner. personally, and no offense to those organizing the effort, i find the "need" for them to patrol that part of the community an embarrassment. what happen to block watch, knowing your neighbors, cleaning up litter in your neighborhood, shoveling the snow for the elderly, etc.? where is everyone's sense of community and pride and why does it take violence to "bring us together"?

[Easton is crime ridden]

Mr Ryan, your dismissal of the Guardian Angels concerns me. I think the residents have a say on how they want to handle their neighbor hoods. The last I checked we are not under a state of emergency and PA is not a police state. Law abiding citizens have a right to look after their own streets the police are not absolute authority's. They are paid for by the tax payer's and as such work for them not the other way around. The Easton Police Dept. can not handle the job, and you should welcome the help of citizen groups. The streets belong to the people not the police.

[4Freedom]

CitizenX is right on! I also wish the city could afford upstanding police officers on our streets on foot with their K9's right by their side. I love Easton and since I'm a law abiding citizen I LIKE to see officers walking around. As far as anyone shaking their head and saying anything negative about our police, I think they should have MORE support as the city's soldiers against crime.

[Nothing New]

It doesn't suprise me that calls to the police are down. From my personal experience, more than half of the police I've ever spoken with in general and also in easton seem to think they are above you and that you unconditionally need to respect them even as they talk down to you. When I approach a cop with a question I don't want a cocky response, especially when I'm approaching them respectfully. They seem to forget that the people pay their wages and that they exist to keep the peace. As an upstanding citizen I am very reluctant to even turn to the police for something with the attitude that I get from some of these militant looking, head shaving, gym going to 6 days a week meatheads. It is a shame though because I know there are some really good cops out there but just like the citizens of easton there are those bad apples that ruin it for everyone. The police need to create a system to reach out to the public and gain public trust If they want to make a change, the same thing goes for the citizens.