Data Supports Mayor; Crime Down In Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE — Although residents at a council meeting expressed disbelief at Mayor Tom Leighton’s comment crime is down in the city, statistics are on his side.

Data from the Pennsylvania State Police Uniform Crime Reporting System showed a 5.06 percent decrease in known offenses in a year-to-year comparison as of Friday.

Leighton attributed the public’s perception of increased crime to officers making more arrests, and again the reporting system supports him.  There were 811 total arrests as of Friday compared to 798 for June 14, 2012.

The offense and arrest totals do not match up because arrests have yet to be made in many of the reported crimes.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/600344/Data-supports-mayor;-crime-down-in-W-B

Union Head: Wilkes-Barre Cutting 11 Firefighters

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wilkes-Barre city will lay off 11 firefighters effective this Saturday, the president of the Wilkes-Barre Firefighters Association said today.

“It feels like I got hit by a truck,” said President Mike Bilski.

Bilski met today with Mayor Tom Leighton, who informed Bilski of the city’s decision.  Bilski said he notified all of his union members.

Leighton has warned of layoffs since October when he asked the city’s nearly 290 employees for voluntary furloughs and retirements.

Read more:  http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/union-head-wilkes-barre-cutting-11-firefighters-1.1410036