Chief’s Letter To Larksville Home Raises Issues

LARKSVILLE, PA — A police chief’s “welcome” letter targeting a suspected drug den and prostitution house on Murray Street has apparently accomplished its goal.

The tenant, a younger woman, hasn’t been seen since, neighbors say. The constant vehicle traffic from a stream of visitors immediately ceased, they say. And the landlord quickly issued an eviction notice.

Larksville police Chief John Edwards last week delivered the strongly-worded letter to the 10 homes on Murray Street, but most on the small block knew who it was meant for: the tenant of 39 Murray St. and all her visitors.

Edwards vowed to zero in on the people suspected of illegal activity until they “are arrested and imprisoned, or leave Larksville Borough.”

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/chief-s-letter-to-larksville-home-raises-issues-1.1862664

Five Years After Opening, Crime From Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem Isn’t The Factor Some Feared

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

Bethlehem police Chief Mark DiLuzio remembers the critics.

Debates raged about whether Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem would be a benefit or detriment to the city and its surrounding communities. DiLuzio, then a police lieutenant, gave in to his detective spirit and researched the subject.

Much of what he found indicated casinos were not a hotbed of criminal activity.

Five years later, DiLuzio is now chief of police — and he’s happy to report that he was right.

Read more:  http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/05/crime_not_a_major_factor_five.html

10 Men Arrested In Montgomery Township Prostitution Sting

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On April 11, 2014, the Montgomery Township Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau organized a sting operation targeting human trafficking and the commercial sex trade in the Montgomeryville section of Montgomery Township. On this date, officers placed an online advertisement offering prostitution services. In response to this advertisement, hundreds of communications (text messages and phone calls) took place. Each defendant agreed to pay money for sexual services prior to their arrest.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20140414/10-men-arrested-in-montgomery-township-prostitution-sting

Local McDonald’s Owner Subject Of Son’s Harassment, Prostitution-Related Complaints

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

The son of a local McDonald’s franchisee has asked the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and McDonald’s Corp. to investigate employee harassment charges that he has lodged against his father.

Jason Rippon filed a complaint with the EEOC in August in which he alleges that his father, H. James Rippon, has ordered employees to help solicit prostitutes, regularly sexually harasses workers and makes racist comments to staff.

James Rippon, 72, had a manager at one of his three restaurants send text messages to prostitutes he was soliciting, according to his son’s complaint. James Rippon allegedly had the worker send the texts because he didn’t know how to send messages from his own cellphone.

The elder Rippon, of Hummelstown, owns McDonald’s restaurants in West Hanover Township, Pine Grove and Shamokin Dam.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/10/mcdonalds_franchisee.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Prostitution, Drug Arrests Made In Wilkes-Barre Sting

WILKES-BARRE — Twelve people have been charged with prostitution and drug offenses during a three-day sting operation city police conducted with state police.

The sting began Monday and ended Wednesday, with police focusing on activity on South Franklin, South Main, North Main, Sambourne, Academy, Wood and Wyoming streets and Carey Avenue, according to a press release Thursday.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news//687836/Prostitution-drug-arrests-made-in-W-B-sting

5 Arrested In Wilkes-Barre Drug Raid

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

WILKES-BARRE — Five people were arrested in a drug raid on Charles Street on Friday.

Wilkes-Barre police, with assistance from state police Troop P Vice Unit and Pennsylvania State Parole, initiated an investigation Friday into drug trafficking and prostitution in South Wilkes-Barre, according to a press release from city police.

As a result of the investigation, police obtained a search warrant for 171 Charles St.  While searching the premises, officers arrested Vanessa Gamble, 35, and Herbert Williams, 34, both of 171 Charles St.; Lauren Lizza, 24, of Throop Street, Scranton; Ryan Novick, 26, of Schuyler Avenue, Kingston; and Fabian Thomas, 30, of Hollenback Street, Plains Township.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/673262/5-arrested-in-W-B-drug-raid

Wilkes-Barre Council Urged To Counter Crime

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

WILKES-BARRE — While Mayor Tom Leighton told residents at a city council meeting Thursday night crime was down in the city, police found a car on Carey Avenue reportedly connected to a strong-armed robbery.

His comment drew a response of “Oh please,” and pleas from residents for help in removing drug dealers from their neighborhoods.

After quickly voting to put $185,600 in Liquid Fuels Tax funds toward construction of a new $3.7 million bridge on Sidney Street and remount an ambulance on new chassis for $114,688, city council spent the next 90 minutes hearing from the public on issues of crime, pit bulls and prayer.

Councilman George Brown asked for cooperation from the administration to address a resident’s concerns about prostitution and people openly dealing drugs on the street near his house.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/598570/W-B-council-urged-to-counter-crime