Criminal Justice

Several top Allentown police officials have declined to answer whether they are following the department’s use-of-force policy.

Easton City Councilmember Taiba Sultana was arrested by the Easton Police Department Monday afternoon for a charge of simple assault and harassment for allegedly attacking her son, according to court records.

The Allentown Police Department said it expects to get $1.5 million by next year to fund its purchase of new technology to solve crimes. Some residents are urging city officials to invest in prevention measures, too.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Allentown police shot and killed 27-year-old Dominick Hogans on Monday. It was the third time police opened fire in the city this year.

Officers shot and killed a 27-year-old Allentown man after he shot at them early Monday morning, according to Assistant Chief Michael Becker.

Police are warning folks not to deposit mail in the dropbox outside the Palmer branch of the Easton Post Office. They say several checks have been stolen from the mail.

Starting this summer, the Bethlehem Police Department will use stop-arm cameras to capture and enforce illegal school bus passing in its jurisdiction.

The virtual town hall will be streamed on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday. Lehigh Valley Stands Up is planning to host an in-person watch party.

A Northampton County jury found Christopher Ferrante not guilty of drug delivery resulting in death Tuesday, while convicting him on six lesser charges.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, allocated based on BPD data recorded in the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System, would allow her department to expand surveillance and protect everyone using city roadways.

A Lehigh County man "targeted" 23 Lowe's stores across more than a dozen counties in Pennsylvania. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against him Monday.

LaTarsha Brown reported finding a noose at her desk on the third floor of City Hall in January. She was charged Monday with making a false report.

Pennsylvania's Dog Laws clearly state dumping a dog is illegal. Yet every year, shelters bear witness to the unthinkable act, and much worse. When will it stop?

The investigation at this point indicates no additional danger to the public, and it appears to have been an isolated incident, according to the release.

Officials from the Transportation Security Administration visited Lehigh Valley International Airport Tuesday with a collection of simulated bombs in tow.

A Black employee reported finding a noose at her desk in City Hall on Jan. 10. Two months later, a city spokesperson confirmed the incident is still under investigation by police.

A police officer discharged his firearm in an armed confrontation with the victim, who shot himself during the encounter Saturday night in Wind Gap, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Forest Touchberry, 31, was pronounced dead Thursday at 3:29 p.m. in the emergency department of St. Luke’s Hospital, Sacred Heart Campus, according to Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio.

A proposed ordinance to essentially decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Easton failed to pass at Wednesday's meeting, with the discussion prompting impassioned debates on the topic.

John Gehrmann, 44, was charged with three third-degree misdemeanor counts of harassment, with a criminal complaint stating he was involved in the continued harassment of person he suspected of playing a part in his stepdaughter’s disappearance.

Enci “Aubrey” Wu was last seen on Jan. 11 in the vicinity of MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, where she was seeking transportation and/or funds from strangers in order to leave Lehigh County, according to the release.