Criminal Justice

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has corrected a decades-old flaw in state law that left severely mentally ill people behind bars indefinitely, and highlighted lingering problems for the man at the center of the case, and others like him.

A Black university student was victimized by white assailants who directed racial epithets at the student, according to a statement from the Lehigh University president.

The Northampton County coroner is investigating and has identified the remains as belonging to William Edelman Jr. of Catasauqua.

Several anonymous tips on school threats over the past two weeks have been found false, according to the Allentown Police Department.

Dieruff and Allen high schools and Trexler Middle School were locked down Monday after multiple unsubstantiated threats of mass violence were made to the district. Additional threats were made to Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, which also closed for the remainder of the day.

Allentown's police chief, Charles Roca, is looking to grow the number of officers patrolling city streets, add new vehicles to the city's fleet and is investigating the possibility of installing gunshot detection equipment in neighborhoods across the city.

LCTI students were either evacuated from the building or sent back to home schools if en route

Former Bethlehem police officer Noah Klingborg is charged with stalking and harassment, the Northampton County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.

The 77-year-old motorist received two citations and will not face serious criminal charges in the death of teacher's aide Angela Yowakim, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office said.

Allentown city leaders will go on the record Wednesday evening, about reforming police policies and city council plans to discuss making major changes to law enforcement.

Students across the Lehigh Valley have been speaking out about racial inequalities in schools. And as part of these discussions, students say that they don’t want the police to play a role in their academic future. WLVR’s Genesis Ortega reports.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office is not planning to investigate a police use-of-force incident in Allentown.

This week Lehigh County Controller, Mark Pinsley, called for criminal justice reform.

Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are doubling down on police reform. This month, they proposed more than a dozen bills to ensure police accountability.

As the 4th of July holiday approaches, calls for increased policing in Allentown - on setting off fireworks - dominated a city council meeting this week. WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports.

Calls for reforms to policing continue across the U.S. In the Lehigh Valley citizens are demanding that departments release their use-of-force policies. As WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports, Bethlehem released its policy this week. But Allentown officials are taking more time.

From the White House to Pennsylvania’s state capital, government officials are facing mounting pressure to address police brutality. Hasshan Batts of Promise Neighborhoods in Allentown says the criminal justice system is the human rights issue of our time.

Erie officials on Monday said they are imposing a three-day suspension on a city police officer who was captured on video kicking a woman during a protest in the wake of the George Floyd killing.

Legislation aimed at reducing police brutality in Pennsylvania is moving through the state House.The move comes a week after Black lawmakers protested on the chamber floor, calling for action on more than a dozen proposals.

Calls for reform in police departments echo across the country. The city of Allentown has begun conversations with Black Live Matter activists who want to see increased transparency from law enforcement.

Members of the Lehigh Valley Black Lives Matter chapter met with Allentown’s mayor and head of law enforcement last week with demands for increased police transparency and use-of-force policy reforms.