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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, May 02, 2023

Timeline For Allentown Initiative to Have Social Workers, and Not Cops, Respond to 9-1-1

Yesterday, I posted the text of an ordinance submitted by a citizens' committee to Allentown City  Council, based on a petition ostensibly signed by 2,000 registered voters.  This proposed law would require social workers, and not cops, to respond to some 9-1-1 calls.  In fact, social workers would be the default response. They would respond unless there's a raging inferno; violent criminal activity that must also pose a threat to public safety; a threat of immediate physical injury or death;  or cops and firefighters are specifically requested.  

Here's the timeline of this citizen's initiative:

April 11 - Petition presented to City Clerk

April 21 - 2,000 signatures certified by City Clerk

May 21 -  City Council receives proposed ordinance

June 21 - City Council adopts, rejects or takes no action

July 11 - City forwards proposed ordinance to County for initiative and referendum

August 8 - County deadline for initiative to appear on ballot. 

November 7 - Voters decide 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of hokum. Pity the poor sap of a social worker who even considers getting involved in this mess.

Anonymous said...

The “Social Justice Industry” is attempting to take us down the same road that leads to the mess we see happening in California and other states. In their Utopia, there is no need for anyone to question, nor monitor, the behaviors of others. This latest idea for Allentown is outrageous and unsafe for everyone. It must be rejected.

I expect to also see a similar destructive move not to arrest for shoplifting of items totaling under $900, another device created in radical liberal places like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Vote NO on nonsense now!

Anonymous said...

Stupidity is a flower that grows in gardens in Allentown.

Anonymous said...

Maybe 10 or 15 years ago might have been ok. Times have changed and there seems to be a volatility in folks that makes these encounters more problematic. Need exceptionally good screening from call center. Should not be default to social worker.

Vladimir Ill-itch said...

"Tell me you want to 'defund the police' without saying you want to 'defund the police.'"

This is step 1.

Considering Allentown City Council is in a dead heat with the Allentown School Board in the competition to see which local elected body has the most brain-dead members, this will likely pass.

Anonymous said...

i wish they would send a social worker to curtail all of the atvs and motorcycles blowing through stop lights and going up one ways the wrong way.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting the text of the proposed ordinance.

I see no option for City Council to amend it if they find portions are not within the City's power (directing how the County's 9-1-1 dispatchers handle calls). If they vote no because the ordinance is flawed, it still goes to the voters, flaws and all.

That means at some point it may have to go to the Courts for resolution.

What a mess.

Bernie O'Hare said...

12:34, Once the matter is turned over to Lehigh County, I believe the elections commission can refuse to place the matter on the ballot bc the ordinance is illegal.

Anonymous said...

This works in a society where people have pride and shame.
Sometimes thing need to fail before the get better.

Anonymous said...

The Election Board could make that decision but I believe this would be wrong.

The county election board isn’t a court of law and that’s where the question of legality of the proposed ordinance should be decided.

As much as I want the proposed ordinance to fail, I think we head down a very dark road if we allow a small board of political appointees to start making those type of decisions.

Anonymous said...

Suggest you include in the timeline: May 3. City Council meeting, 6:30 PM - Bill 47 introduction. [ Section header in agenda says “(To be referred to Committee with public comment prior to referral)” or words to that effect ]. Council will vote whether to send to a Special Committee meeting sometime in the future.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Thanks