SCRANTON -- The past few days have brought vehicle break-ins, thefts, and more, causing some to wonder if the crime rate is on the rise in Scranton's south side.
On Saturday, police said Davon Hogan was firing a weapon on Prospect Avenue. He took off but was later arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
Sunday, police spent hours on Pittston Avenue. They said Richard Winn Jr. threatened to kill his family and police and fired more than half a dozen shots from a rifle before he was arrested.
Hours later, cops say a vehicle was stolen from Hemlock Street, later crashing near Lake Scranton. One man was killed in the wreck. The other ran away. Daquan Johnson was later arrested and charged with theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy.
"The one policeman last week, when he was investigating the shooting on this intersection, says it's getting like Newark, so that's what we're looking at,” said Dave Watkins.
People who live in the city's south side are concerned. Some have even put security cameras on their homes to catch crooks in the act.
"We're just shocked to see what's going on, and we're horrified, you know? Where is it going to be next? You know? South side was always a great place, the kids here, the schools. I'm nervous now,” said Ann Devereaux of Scranton.
Scranton's police chief said he understands people's concerns, but he said the past few days have not been the norm.
"Statistically, it is not true. You know people's perception of crime. When you get a couple clusters of crime, it certainly seems that way, but when you look at the entire year, it stayed the same. It actually went down a little bit,” said Scranton Police Chief Carl Graziano.
Still, people remain on alert.
"It'd be nice to move out of the city, but no one wants to buy your house, so you can't move out anyway, and I've been here 44 years in this neighborhood, so I’m staying, but it's tough,” said Watkins.
Scranton police say the best thing they can do is make arrests and hold people accountable for their crimes.
Yanks
I can’t wait for another Democrats prez. I need more freebies dontcha know.
Charlie
Yep!
Anne Marie
Thank Sr Adrian. She single-handedly pulverized the demographics in this area, importing the hoodlums from the NY and NJ cities. “Come to Scranton and we’ll take care of you.” What did we think – that they were going to come here and become contributing citizens? This is the end result and they just keep multiplying.
Nina 77
Ann Marie you are 100 percent correct!! EXACTLEY!!!!! Thoes people proved what they are!!!
Yikesy!
We all know MS13 has been transplanted by the government to Long Island and have destroyed Suffolk county to blood splattered rubble. Is the same thing going on in Scranton now?
Yikesy!
I said transplanted by the government. I shouldn’t have been so general. They were transplanted by the Obama administration.
Bad Santa
Thank you Obummer for the south side spanish harlem. come on in what kind of plan do ya want, so bad!
Confused
Scranton is a dump surrounded by a dump. Which one is the landfill though?
Charlie
Scranton is the new Detroit!! What a trash dump Scranton is! Filth! I avoid Scranton at all costs, absolutely no point to go there for anything!! It’s disgusting!!! Loaded with immigrants and gangs! Nothing but crime!!
YANKS
Charlie, do you just copy and paste your comment everytime Scranton is brought up? You have used that same comment in several different stories. And Please, we want you to keep avoiding Scranton at all costs!. Thanks
Trump 2020
Yanks. Why such hostility? Let people post how’d they like.
Family guy
Sometimes I’ll drive the family through Scranton just for cheap entertainment. (Windows up and doors locked of course) My youngest always asks, “What country are they from Daddy?” SO CUTE!!!!
YANKS
You are a funny guy Family Guy!! Your youngest does NOT say that!!
Family guy
Don’t believe me??? ASK LOIS!
Toms cabin
When one of the local magistrates employee kids are major drug dealers, and the cops let it slide, this is what you end up with.
Supporter of America
I use to work with a kid some years ago that was one of the Scranton Cop’s kids; and he stole a number of things from cars (stereos, speakers, amps, etc.). Everyone just looked the other way, because it was a cops kid. Glad I don’t live there.
Keystone cops
The kid’s father was probably worse than him! You know, evidence room and all.
YANKS
Toms Cabin, get your town right please!! Which Scranton Magistrates son would be a drug dealer?
Cowboy
The governor should start sending our hoodlums to Mexico along with the ones clinton and obama let in! Life might be better for them there.
Gary k
Tina you are right Scranton is the worst place in Lackawanna County to live !it is Skid Row !!every single day on the news for crimes every single day
YANKS
Gary K, get a clue!!! You ever been to Olyphant, Dickson City, etc etc?
Charlie
Ahh, the elephant in the room that our pc media will not allow us to talk about: the individuals who moved here from 100 to 150 miles away
Tina c
Scranton everyday crime ! every single day ! Scranton on the news Scranton Scranton, what a dump! literally a dump!
YANKS
Tina C, you on da welfare???
Tina c
Welfare? Umm, no I’m a school teacher!! Thank you!
les
Welcome to the Hood.
HAL 9000
……..uh………….yeah
Not my city
Can’t believe a cop hasn’t been killed yet.
joe
The bums that are doing this have no regard for human life.
They are just animals that need to be put down.
mopar driver
sum tin wong ?
les
Sum ting won sounds better.
So there!
No it doesn’t! Mopar’s sounds better.