Well, well, well... my lovely little town of Bethlehem managed an entire year WITH NO HOMICIDES (though there were several close calls)! The local police chief says it's due to the five-O, but I think it has more to do with increased community programs and employment coupled with increased firearm ownership.

anyway, five minutes west is Allentown, where they had FOURTEEN homicides, and 10 minutes east is Easton, which had 4.
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Morning Call:
Bethlehem's zero for 2008 is a lifesaver
City has no murders for first time in 16 years
By Pamela Lehman | Of The Morning Call
January 2, 2009

For the first time in 16 years, Bethlehem did not have a homicide reported in 2008.

The last time Bethlehem had a homicide-free year was in 1992, said Bethlehem police records Lt. Michael Reszek.

In the last weeks of December, police Commissioner Randy Miller knew the city was inching close to ending the year without any homicides, but refused to tempt fate.

"I'm afraid to even talk about it," Miller said.

In the past six years, killings have been relatively low in the city, with typically only one or two a year. But, Bethlehem had six homicides in 2007, including two murder-suicides.

The other Lehigh Valley cities reported homicides in 2008, including at least four in Easton and 16 in Allentown.

While Bethlehem police officials said they believe officers have played a key role in keeping homicides at bay, a criminology expert said law enforcement officials typically have little to no effect on homicide rates.

Miller said he doesn't believe the lack of homicides is a fluke. He said officers have more time to investigate crimes and may be able to intervene in domestic disputes before they escalate.

"A domestic-related homicide may be impossible to prevent from happening," Miller said. "But I believe police can have an effect by helping victims get [protection-from-abuse orders] or counseling."

While no homicides is something residents can be thankful for, even the best police work isn't likely to prevent them, said professor Dennis Giever, chairman of the criminology department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

In many homicides, the victim and suspect are domestic partners and the killing typically happens behind closed doors, not in a public place where police may be able to intervene, Giever said.

He also cautioned police not to take credit for a lower homicide rate because that opens them up to criticism when killings rise. "Nonetheless, it's something to be happy about, but it may just be the luck of the draw."

A factor that can have a tremendous affect on homicide rates is medical care for the victim, Giever said.

After an attack, if a victim is fortunate enough to be close to a trauma center, that can make all the difference between a homicide and an aggravated assault, he said.

"But, if the ambulance is maybe a little slow or that person isn't close enough to a trauma center, that can change the circumstances dramatically," Giever said.

Bethlehem had a few of attempted homicides this year, including:

Kira T. Whalen, 22, charged with stabbing her boyfriend in the neck during an argument on May 22 at her Raspberry Street apartment. Police said Whalen stabbed Pierre Santiago when she held his arms down and he dared her to cut him.

Alberto Melendez, 21, faces trial on charges of firing a shot that grazed the head of a Lehigh University student. Police said on July 29, Melendez was walking along Birkel Avenue and yelling. Michael Ritter, who was sitting on the porch of his home, told Melendez to knock it off and Melendez shot at Ritter's head.

Raymond Caraballo-Vazquez, 44, is charged with slashing the throat of his ex-wife. Police said the attack on Rosario Amparo-Codero happened Aug. 22 in the bedroom of her home at 1470 E. Fifth St. She told police Caraballo-Vazquez and his girlfriend, Ada Torres, 56, broke into her bedroom.

Police said Amparo-Codero's throat was slashed and she needed more than 30 stitches. Torres was later charged with attempted homicide.