ALLENTOWN, Pa. – In the wake of two deadly shootings of teenagers in the past month, the mayor of the Lehigh Valley’s largest city issued a heartfelt plea for peace. 69 News spoke with Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk about working on a safe summer.
The mayor is asking young people from all over the city to get in touch with him. He’s not just looking for tips or information; he wants to talk with teenagers.
“I want them to know the mayor is someone they can go to, and not just to report something, but to have a dialogue,” said Mayor Matt Tuerk.
Mayor Tuerk is responding to recent shootings in the city. 17-year-old Ja’meer Roberts was killed Saturday night, near the intersection of East North and North Jay Streets. The shooting left two others injured.
On May 15th, 18-year-old Tymell Millan-Mason was shot and killed outside the McDonald’s on Union Boulevard.
Mayor Tuerk is challenging young people to help shape their city this summer.
“It doesn’t have to be about violence; it can be about any number of things. It can be about street safety, job opportunities, we want to hear from young people,” Mayor Tuerk said.
Allentown is a young city. Mayor Tuerk says 25 percent of residents are younger than 18 years old. The mayor is building a “Council of Youth” with the city’s Violence Prevention Coordinator, who was hired last year.
“So, there’s a huge opportunity for us to lean into young people and get their perspectives about what Allentown should look like in the future,” Mayor Tuerk said.
Mayor Tuerk says all you have to do is call the mayor’s office, and he will talk to you, or you can email his office.
Or you can reach him on all forms of social media.