AN UPDATE FROM ALLENTOWN POLICE CHIEF GLENN GRANITZ - April 22, 2021

As Chief of Police it is my goal to the keep residents of the city up to date on departmental activity. This email is just another way to contact with our neighbors and visitors to our city, so please feel free to forward and share this information. Please continue to follow us on Facebook APD Facebook and Twitter  APD Twitter for all the latest updates and opportunities to connect with us!

COMMMUNITY GROUP MEETINGS:

During the past two weeks, APD Officers from our Community Outreach Unit, along with Chief Granitz and Asst. Chief Roca attended community meetings with the following groups:

Mountainview – (4/7)

Riverfront Wards Community Group – (4/13)

Fairview – (4/14)

Muhlenberg Community Group – Upcoming - Virtual 4/21

LANA- (4/24) ***Upcoming***

On 4/24, members of the Community Outreach Unit will be volunteering to assist Old Allentown community group with clean up and mulch predetermined locations in the city.

Please reach out if you are aware of other meetings that our Community Outreach Team can attend! The Community Outreach Unit can be reached at 610-437-7741 ext. 2 and ask for CPT Keiser, SGT Williams or SGT Leonard.

The following are updates that you may be interested in throughout the city:

Neighborhood Follow Up:

On 3/29/21, Officers conducted a post-incident follow-up to the March 27th shooting which resulted in the loss of life of a young male in the 200 block of N 4th St. Officers were out to talk with residents and address any concerns or questions about this incident. Understanding events like this can be traumatic not just to the involved individuals but to the community. Along with an incident summary, Officers provided residents with information about confidential resources to assist with trauma and mental wellness.

If you have any information about this incident and would like to speak with a detective call 610-437-7721 press 1 for Criminal Investigation Unit.

If you would like information about crime prevention or have public safety concerns call 610-437-7721 press 2 for Community Outreach Unit.

 

   

 

Community Easter Egg Hunt

Working in conjunction with some of our community partners, Officer held two Easter Egg hunts at Keck and Arts park. All items were donated, and this event was no charge to Allentown residents. Kids from the Police Athletic League volunteered to help set up and give out prizes.

         

 

Non-Toxic Neighborhood- Jordan Park

Non-Toxic Neighborhoods provide the city with $25,000 from the GIANT Company and Stonyfield Organics to move towards more regenerative and organic maintenance of green spaces in Jordan Park. During this event, Chief Granitz along with members of the PAL’s Children Achievement Mentoring Program (CAMP) planted tree along the waterway of Jordan Park.

 

 

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING OEPRATIONS CONTINUE:

Aggressive driving continues to be a priority. Officers from our traffic enforcement unit have continue to coordinate focused patrols in various location throughout the city. Officers conducted over 324 vehicle stops since the last update. While continuing to various approaching to enforcement and education.

  

APD Investigators along with members of the 1st and 3rd platoons conducted operation focused on the growing complaints of illegal and hazardous dirt bike and ATV’s activity throughout the City. This operation result in the seizure of multiple dirt bikes, ATV’s and motorcycles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/30 Traffic enforcement leads to gun arrest:

 

 

April 2, 2021 – Narcotics investigations

On April 2nd, Detective from the APD Vice unit executed and search warrant at 3031 Klein St (south side). Investigators located approximately one-pound marijuana, $5600.00 Us currency and a Glock handgun.

Arrested: Yerlin Marte Peralta, 25-year-old male charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substance.

Later in the day, APD Vice unit executed another search warrant on an unrelated address in the 600 block of W. Washington St (center city). This investigation lead to the recovery of approximately one-pound marijuana, a quantity of cocaine, two AR rifles, one Glock handgun, and 3,900.00 US currency.

Arrested: Ulysses T. Bonilla, 21-year-old male, charged with possession with intent to deliver controlled substance.

APD search warrant yields multiple arrest and numerous:

4/12 – Bank Robbery

 

4/13- Wanted male apprehended during vehicle stop, Gun recovered

APD Detective Josh Baker Fraud Warning

PUBLIC ALERT

2021 Card Cracking scam

Allentown Police want to make the public aware of a current scam which is affecting the local area. Please see the details of the scam and helpful tips on how to avoid being victimized by scammers.  

• Card cracking scams involve the deposit of counterfeit or stolen checks into one’s bank account. After the deposit, the scammer uses the account holders bank card to deplete the funds from the bank account before the bank catches the fraud.   

• The scammer recruits the account holder from social media or in person, requesting the user if they want to make quick money. Most cases, the account holder knows the scammer.

• In most cases, the scammer promises the account holder money for access to their bank account. Although this is appealing, the account holder rarely sees money from the scammer.

• Once account holder responds, the scammer will ask for your personal and bank account information. Once provided, the scammer will deposit multiple counterfeit or stolen checks into your account.

• Once a counterfeit check is transferred into your account, the scammer will ask you for access to your bank card and pin. Once obtained, the scammer uses your card to buy gift cards, money orders or merchandise.

• Once the counterfeit check is discovered the bank will hold the account holder responsible, causing the account holder to lose thousands of dollars. This can result in the account being frozen or closed, the account holder can be sent to collections and in some cases, the account holder can be charged with check fraud.  

Check out APD’s Facebook page for more useful information on crime prevention tips and more! Facebook.com/allentownpolice

Big Thanks

As a thank you to the PAL CAMP kids who assisted with planting trees and egg hunt activities, Officers rewarded the kids with dinner, the kids choose a diner at Texas Roadhouse. Great time had by all!

         

Looking ahead:

On Wednesday, April 28th Mex-Italia restaurant at 1038 Union Blvd will be Hosting Coffee with a Cop from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, all are welcome, mask and social distancing required. Also you may see some new additions to the 10th St patrol station as we will be adding flower planters to the front of the building.

Thank you for reading and please stay in touch. We are working to make our city safer one day at a time and that requires hard work, communication and relationships with our community groups and residents.

Take care,

Glenn

Chief Glenn Granitz, M.S. CJA

Glenn.Granitz@allentownpa.gov

610.437.7777

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Effective Immediately:

To obtain a copy of a police or accident report, please send a letter to us with the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Date of Incident
• Incident Number (if you have this information)
• Location of Incident

Include a check or money order for $15 per report, and made payable to "City of Allentown." A self addressed stamped envelope is also required.

Mail to:

• INCIDENT REPORTS

  Allentown Police Department
  ATTN: Staff Review
  425 Hamilton Street
  Allentown, PA 18101

• ACCIDENT REPORTS

  Allentown Police Department
  ATTN: Traffic Office
  425 Hamilton Street
  Allentown, PA 18101

NOTE:     The US Postal Service is running a few weeks behind. Be advised your request may not reach our department in a timely manner. Reports are being processed and mailed daily. Please be patient. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

• If you would like a copy of a previous arrest - please contact Right to Know clerk in the Solictor's office.