‍A City on the Rise

Allentown, Pennsylvania, the state’s third-largest city, has undergone significant transformation over the past 20 years. Once known as a symbol of industrial decline—immortalized in Billy Joel’s famous song—the city has rebounded with renewed economic vitality and a burgeoning population. Today, it’s a majority-Latino city just 90 minutes from Philadelphia and two hours from Manhattan, serving as the beating heart of the Lehigh Valley, a region known for iconic brands like Crayola, Martin Guitar, and Mack Trucks.

From Economic Storyteller to Mayor

Mayor Tuerk’s journey into public service is as unique as the city he serves. With a background in economic development, his previous role had him pitching Allentown as a place worth investing in. But in 2019, he felt compelled to do more. Inspired by a vision to elevate Allentown’s prominence and potential, Tuerk ran for mayor—and won.

What distinguishes his leadership is an intense focus on public engagement, paired with a systems-thinking approach. “You’ve got to be in community,” Tuerk says, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and presence over bureaucracy.

Safety as the Foundation for Growth

Mayor Tuerk and Police Chief Charles Rocca have shaped a strategy around three core pillars: staffing, training, and technology. It’s a vision that prioritizes not only quick and efficient law enforcement response but also lasting community trust.

Their partnership with Flock Safety has helped reduce crime through precision tools like license plate readers and acoustic gunshot detection systems. These tools allow officers to respond more efficiently, reduce investigative time, and reallocate their energy to community-building efforts—crucial steps in shifting the public’s perception of safety from fear to confidence.

Allentown’s crime stats tell a compelling story: 2024 saw the lowest homicide rate since 1989, with only four homicides in a city of over 130,000 people. Violent crimes like aggravated assaults and shootings have also declined significantly.

The Compounding Impact of Safety

Safety, Mayor Tuerk argues, is the bedrock of a thriving community. “Investment follows safety,” he says. “If you’re a business owner or developer, you don’t want to put your capital in a place where it’s at risk.” The virtuous cycle is clear: safety leads to investment, which leads to economic opportunity, which then builds a stronger tax base for reinvestment in infrastructure, education, and community health.

Policy, Data, and Trust

Balancing innovation with civil liberties is essential. Through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ City Data Alliance, Allentown is developing a human-centered data strategy focused on transparency, literacy, and measurable impact.

Mayor Tuerk urges other city leaders to involve cross-functional teams when evaluating new technology. “Bring your law, finance, and IT people to the table,” he advises. But above all, he encourages technology vendors to genuinely invest in understanding each city’s unique challenges: “Every city is worth the investment.”

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Hear more about Allentown, PA from Mayor Tuerk and Police Chief Roca in this joint press conference: "Shaping a Safer Community in Allentown, Pennsylvania."

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