We came across this tool reporting on the crime rate in Wilkes-Barre. After playing around with it, we observed you can find out a great deal by using this website. We have added a link on the right side of the blog that you can click on to access the site. Happy researching!
Daily Archives: June 15, 2013
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
Pottstown Property Owners Facing 2.4 Percent Tax Hike Under $53M Budget
POTTSTOWN — Few changes were unveiled Thursday night when the school board’s finance committee met to review the proposed $53 million budget that would raise property taxes by 2.4 percent, or $65.70 per year, for the average property owners.
The 2.4 percent tax hike is the maximum allowed under the state’s Act 1 index without going to the voters for approval.
“There really are very minimal changes from the preliminary final budget you approved last month,” Business Manager Linda Adams told the finance committee Thursday night.
As with most budget deliberations, there was good news and bad news.
Reading Looks To Rewrite The Rules To Help Business
Contractors, developers and even city officials have complained for years that getting approvals and permits from City Hall is too complicated and takes too long.
Developer Alan Shuman, prodded recently by City Council, said it often takes him four weeks and longer to get permits in hand for many of his projects.
Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer had campaigned on building a more business-friendly City Hall and told a business group in April that it often takes four to six weeks to issue a permit.
“Businesses jump down my throat for that,” he said.
Roy's Rants - For Your Information 