ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown has recorded just three homicides through more than half of 2026, a historically low total that follows a sharp decline in deadly violence over the past two years.
According to homicide statistics from the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, Allentown finished with single-digit homicide totals only three times between 2010 and 2023. Since 2024, however, the city’s homicide numbers have dropped dramatically.
As of this year, the city has recorded three homicides. If that number holds through the end of 2026, it would mark Allentown’s lowest annual homicide total in at least the past 26 years.
“Being the third largest city in Pennsylvania, we have made a huge decrease, historic decrease in violence in city,” said Jeani Garcia, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent gun violence and support individuals, families and communities affected by violence.
Garcia is in Los Angeles this week attending a Community Violence Intervention conference, where more than 500 violence prevention professionals and community leaders from across the country are sharing strategies to reduce gun violence.
“I’m interested to see if we’re on the right path, if we’re doing the same things, or if we could bring something new home to our community,” Garcia said.
Despite the city’s declining homicide numbers, Garcia said youth gun violence remains a significant concern.
According to Garcia, all three homicides recorded in Allentown in 2026 have involved someone under the age of 21.
“That is a heightened concern for us doing this gun violence prevention work,” Garcia said.
Garcia believes social media may be contributing to youth gun violence but said addressing the issue will require involvement from the entire community.