ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The City of Allentown on Tuesday released its violent crime data for the third quarter of 2026, showing increases in aggravated assaults, homicides and rapes compared to the same time last year.<\/p>\n
City leaders say they’re releasing it now because they want to protect residents, prevent violence, and grow public trust.<\/p>\n
From July through September, there were 47 aggravated assaults, two homicides and 12 rapes, according to a news release from the City of Allentown. During the same months in 2025, there were 36 aggravated assaults, zero homicides and nine rapes.<\/p>\n
Robberies were down 26.3% during the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same time last year, according to city data. Throughout July, August and September, there were 14 robberies. During the same three-month period in 2025, there were 19 robberies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese numbers are positive, but public safety is about more than statistics,\u201d said Mayor Matt Tuerk.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur police officers, paramedics, Office of Violence Prevention, and residents all have a role to play in building a safer Allentown,\u201d he added. \u201cI want residents to understand not only what the numbers show, but also the work happening every day to make our neighborhoods safer.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the 12-month period between October 2025 and September 2026, there were 167 aggravated assaults, seven homicides, 42 rapes and 72 robberies.<\/p>\n
Those numbers \u2014 except in the category of homicides \u2014 reflect decreases from the previous 12-month period.<\/p>\n
“I’m pleased to report we have seen a reduction in violent crime throughout the city,” said Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca, who compiled the data. Chief Roca says communication is key to violent crime trending down.<\/p>\n
“Ultimately, we serve the residents of Allentown, and we want to make sure the residents know they are a big piece of this puzzle,” said Roca.<\/p>\n
Aggravated assaults were down about 8%; rapes were down about 14%; and robberies were down about 19%. Homicides increased from two to seven.<\/p>\n
“Our numbers are there. Anybody can verify them. And it’s important that we can be as transparent with our community as possible,” Roca said.<\/p>\n
While homicides are up, city officials said the number of annual homicides is still much lower than in previous years. According to the news release, there were about 15 homicides in 2023 and about 20 in 2007.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Police Department had a 100% clearance rates for the two homicides committed in quarter three of this year, according to the news release. That means people were arrested and charged for those crimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen a violent crime occurs, our job is to pursue every lead, build strong cases and work to ensure those responsible are held accountable,\u201d said Chief Charles Roca.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the impact these crimes have on victims, families, and our entire community,\u201d he added, \u201cand we remain committed to thorough investigations and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statistics also show that if you are a robbery victim in Allentown, you have only a 1-in-3 chance of having your case solved.<\/p>\n
“There’s a host of things going on with robberies,\u201d said Tuerk. “We make some recommendations in there how to reduce your likelihood of being a victim of robbery. Robbery, they can be tricky.”<\/p>\n
Mayor Tuerk says public safety is more than just statistics. It’s about the work happening every day to make Allentown’s neighborhoods safer.<\/p>\n
“I just want to make sure that our residents and everybody in the Lehigh Valley has as clear a picture as possible about safety as it’s happening in the city of Allentown,” said Mayor Tuerk.<\/p>\n