One Aspect of the Crime Problem: Allentown's Youth

I believe that an immediate response to crime in Allentown would have to be increased police presence all over the city, not just in the sparkly lights district where all the new development is taking place. But I don't have the experience to offer anything other than my opinion regarding solutions to Allentown's crime problem. Since I am a former ASD teacher, what I would like to offer is my perspective on the sad fact that so much crime is being committed by teenagers and young adults.

Reading the story about the murder of Sondra Yohe in 2005, the young girl who was mistakenly shot and killed while driving down an alley near Jackson Elementary, just broke my heart. Sondra, and her passenger Aubrey were both students of mine when I taught middle school art in the ASD. Ironically, the boys who killed her were also my students, Cesar Febus and Eric Morales. Febus was sentenced to life in prison. Morales has not been sentenced yet. The other young man, Daniel Lugo, may have been one of my students because I remember his name, but I am not sure. He was just sentenced to 50-100 yrs. in prison. Several of my former students are now in jail for murder. I only wish I could have inspired them to take other paths.

During my final year teaching middle school my open minded principal allowed me to teach a special art class

for talented special-ed, ESOL (English as a second language), or at risk kids who did not qualify to be part of the school's "arts team." The "arts team" was a select group of talented, well behaved mostly white kids with good grades. I felt that so many other talented kids were being excluded from the "arts team", and that they could really benefit from an intensive art program. I called my group of 8th graders "The Expressionists". We visited the Allentown Art Museum several times, we had artist in residencies with local artists and writers, and we did really neat projects like hand made books. These kids had art class every day of the week. Some of them were challenging because of behavior issues. But overall it was a great learning experience for both me and the kids. I had an after school club for kids too. I'm sure now since the curriculum is geared around testing, that I would not be able to teach such a class.

My point here is that maybe if inner city kids could get involved in the arts, music, or sports then they would resist the temptation to join gangs. Maybe they would want to stay in school. They would be more optimistic about their future. Allentown has so many ball fields, basketball courts and parks. The kids should be using these facilities. Maybe we need more after school programs. Allentown needs a skateboard park. Maybe more parents, teachers, and community members should want to get involved as good role models for kids. I try to do as much as I can by volunteering at my son's school, but I know I could be doing even more. I don't have specific programs or plans, these are just my ideas. Maybe our elected leaders could work with the ASD on some additional programs for at risk youth.