[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6244776,"mediaKeyId","3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780","parentId",3228783,"title","Resident says he plans to bring police‑interaction evidence to city; urges accountability","audioSeconds",159,"startMs",1190000,"endMs",1349000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780&start=1190&end=1349","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244776/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Resident-says-he-plans-to-bring-policeinteraction-evidence-to-city-urges-accountability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244776-1d216680d9ba93f3262bbc8903f1b595/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186673&Signature=ZTd0NeTz2tJgPSkHJpGj6bJF9arInOGMVsiov8vOM3lvrKk-mezg1VyBEYBC-s5tJ0Ol~vK0U9KFMM8ez~29sAysoFCPV6Q8NslU5qBlDepd9vf6o735rDijTCf0wTwSaZhQjGTdJonpuTyP5J3dX3B3tSWh0G~y7fg8sFDA0VD1t752KuE-Auy81CvgPjUYfahy3zC4mjtW32KC1tyA4wV3NK1JPtFiiJOilFH174U-84pionL1KUPji08Ozu~i2GAP~bpqq5DI7DtvphDasFJ~jLm21p9vw-H-NJNln2eKt7DE5s5spVFnsirksJTrDXK0zqb682yubEtoc6NuTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bethlehem, PA","date","2025-05-07T02:24:04Z","article","Joseph Lee, a South Side resident, used public comment time at the council meeting to recount a long series of disputes with the Bethlehem Police Department and to say he will present video evidence and file complaints with outside authorities.

Lee described an attack in 2016 in which he said he was stabbed and subsequently treated unfairly by police and prosecutors; he referenced recent online threats against him, said he repeatedly contacted police and claimed he was treated as the troublemaker in subsequent responses. Lee said he has doorbell camera recordings and body‑worn camera footage that he plans to bring to a future city meeting and that he intends to report the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Council and staff response
Meeting organizers noted the public‑comment rules and did not take action at the session. Mayor Reynolds and police leadership were not quoted responding to the specific allegations at that time. Lee said he would bring his evidence to a future meeting.

Ending: Lee’s remarks were public comment; council did not take immediate action or vote, and city officials said members of staff and departments are available for residents with similar complaints to reach out for follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05062025 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","A South Side resident told council he alleges misconduct and retaliation by local police and said he will present doorbell and body‑camera footage at a future meeting and to outside authorities.","taxTitle","Bethlehem, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania","taxId",9659,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244780,"Monocacy neighborhood raises safety and sanitation concerns over riverside encampment",188,504000,692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780&start=504&end=692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780/thumbnail_504000.jpg","/articles/6244780/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Monocacy-neighborhood-raises-safety-and-sanitation-concerns-over-riverside-encampment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244780-7d1f29bd17822ed216c8dc81efd81c05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186673&Signature=eyfKGKFfM9rMDx1Utwb2tf5~Li~rV-6VJv5TFuZIP2k5fjYzdjoozepYNbV-5Ug-~lt~~JHT0k~wraES4Q8mZ0Tun-ihk9p0d7y-JjgzMf3dpvG007U4Sr7Y0Ad4ehztBlXpDVCJxaGG6sUP8A4PB9lPDOqet0EeiSnNGRVAB1Kp4HERgtPtATRTGXje9wYrYVHRh4vjDEknQD0WxaFi5EvL2l2v2ssS9t5PARlTQbGAwDOR-5GAI4rMSXzNbsG7h~I6uQuLtxuplkwHCmNnZbWw62JV4I3FlEwor~s4Jub4ueklHJOwGCCl64DtUccO0L6ZU-~UvfBWa0CoylSM4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elizabeth Correll Pizarro, president of the Monocacy Homeowners Association, told Bethlehem City Council about an expanding tent encampment between the canal and the railroad tracks near New Street Bridge that she said is increasing litter, illegal dumping and safety concerns for nearby residents.

Pizarro said dumpsters provided near the site fill in two to three days and that mattresses, shopping carts and garbage are increasingly visible in the neighborhood. She also described encounters between residents and people in the encampment, including a person entering a fenced yard; and she cited open‑flame cookfires and propane use as potential public‑safety hazards.

Council and staff response
Mayor Reynolds and staff said department heads were present and that residents may contact the city’s sanitation, health bureau and police department for follow‑up. Staff asked Pizarro to share contact information with the clerk so departments could follow up directly. The meeting did not include a formal motion or emergency action on the matter.

Ending: Officials offered to connect Pizarro to the appropriate departments for follow‑up on cleanup, enforcement and potential social‑service referrals; the council meeting did not result in an immediate vote or new ordinance on homeless encampments.","A Monocacy HOA president told council the tent encampment by the canal and railroad tracks is expanding, creating litter, fires and safety concerns; councilors directed the resident to city departments and staff promised follow‑up.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244785,"South Side business owners and residents press city on sidewalks, trees and local tax use",7400,710000,8110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780&start=710&end=8110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780/thumbnail_710000.jpg","/articles/6244785/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/South-Side-business-owners-and-residents-press-city-on-sidewalks-trees-and-local-tax-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244785-e61f3d92130c73c5c2f369cccb9b79e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186673&Signature=DJ3Pv1CQ2wGW7nXuCM1-CSafFEs3qxfBRz28f5uPwS6uYq5y3V~DlcoPJslUdpc5p9Z7qN4OT~Y2U0-rc8KKvV64-FDzMwi8TxhUHraRER~2Qu7D6T7YD~XJBPqUtvM5g~kcWAj8S3uTm3SDy5r96UONgY6~-Tk4RBfl1U23JurFRbjsvYwppI8B606R57g75Sr3qUn2CjXRIo1i1dtgcRR1530iEpxPJbHpEEvDBK-ZyUx3ilwM5~NSvQdMOsAoaIvoZigewb4cyudJX07Gp6WeJTpyIdT-FuWSpzLZmJl5snjHYlWM~~icoUtXlxB-MLTv5riHwR9Vw6LCOR2Ueg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Business owners and residents from Bethlehem’s South Side urged council to address long‑running sidewalk and tree maintenance problems and asked whether city revenues could be used to help downtown merchants, speakers said during public comment and a later council discussion.

Why it matters: Property owners in Bethlehem are legally responsible for sidewalk and street‑tree upkeep. Several entrepreneurs at the meeting said the cost of repairs and inconsistent maintenance are hurting foot traffic and business during an important tourism season.

What speakers said
Anthony Spagnola, who identified himself as an owner of several downtown businesses, said he and other merchants pay the city’s business privilege tax and asked whether those revenues could be used to improve sidewalks and trees on the South Side. “I pay … that’s the greatest thing I do,” Spagnola said, and asked city staff to look for ways to keep improvements in‑house rather than contracting out.

Charlene Jenkins, a South Side resident, urged investment in neighborhood youth facilities and local park fields, saying the community’s youth programs receive less attention than other neighborhoods.

Council and staff response
Planning Director Collins, Public Works staff and other administrators described existing tools and limits: sidewalks are generally the property owner’s responsibility, the city has used Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and other grants in the past for sidewalk replacement, and city crews have limited capacity for extended sidewalk reconstruction projects.

Collins and staff said the city can pursue grant funding and partner with the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and other stakeholders on targeted investments; she also said the city is exploring replacement of downtown light poles and other infrastructure that would enable consistent decorations and signage. Staff noted that some cost‑sharing programs in the past left outstanding balances when property owners did not pay their agreed shares.

Next steps and context
Council members asked for a prioritized list of short‑term and long‑term downtown improvements from the DBA and merchants so the city can evaluate targeted uses of available funds during the next budget cycle. Staff said some one‑time grant or reserve funds could be considered but cautioned that mid‑year budget changes carry risks and that sustainable funding plans are preferable.

Ending: Councilmembers and staff asked downtown merchants to compile priorities for short‑term fixes and longer‑term investments; staff committed to report back on potential grant opportunities and feasibility.","Multiple public commenters told council that broken sidewalks, dead street trees and downtown maintenance are harming businesses and neighborhoods; councilmembers and staff discussed grants, cost‑sharing and city responsibilities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244790,"Council approves zoning map change on Eighth Avenue after split vote; walkability concerns persist",729,5495000,6224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780&start=5495&end=6224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780/thumbnail_5495000.jpg","/articles/6244790/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-zoning-map-change-on-Eighth-Avenue-after-split-vote-walkability-concerns-persist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244790-e293341f708a628d754425db7e96d062/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186673&Signature=oPD5YgTmiRwfXANHgWvmrQlc8BIS4owGpi6J0EKv6Ziw~S6UifvV8tPQneyc~t9cUvVAisV-KiM2CHbr9fMD5YFYh1DI5kM1sqaXrs-A8c1sJB88bnHlzgHYrrHW2zGY6oHqmBJVQ5cvQvbjQxyf5Pvwl8S9AkK7zASvE5Jox1nwg34L4AQ6OQJo-wpma-Hdzho16VSQroBAs9VEJ9lQpfG4ESZ8l8IX~~pEnlVSnCLozmEIV~7oANOlArUwIlZHQpCMvSI8hD9GyHb~NGkPTY~uTFCp7Zm53kEXqkr3RmqRSjQ94PDMeotdipqs7d3EmXUmgQNPfYUkohKNJ5YfcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bethlehem City Council voted to amend the city zoning map for a parcel near Eighth Avenue, approving a rezoning change that council supporters said will encourage development along the Eighth Avenue corridor. The measure passed 4‑2 with one council member recusing themselves.

Why it matters: Council members who opposed the change said it risked prioritizing car‑oriented uses over the neighborhood’s walkability and long‑term vision for the area. Supporters said the change reflects market realities and complements adjacent commercial zoning.

What council heard
Councilwoman Laird said she would vote against the rezoning, arguing the area was intended to support a walkable commercial corridor and that a car‑oriented use could disrupt pedestrian access for neighborhood residents who regularly walk to nearby shops. “The purpose of that zoning was to provide a walkable resource for the fairly dense neighborhood behind it,” she said.

Councilwoman Wilhelm and other supporters said the parcel sits adjacent to existing CS‑zoned property, including PriceRite and CVS, and that the proposed designation is compatible with the corridor and could support businesses and jobs. Planning staff and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission had reviewed the proposal and described it as compatible with surrounding uses.

Vote and recusal
During roll call, Councilmember Callahan said he would recuse himself from the vote because of a prior financial connection; the rezoning passed with four members voting aye and two no votes.

Process and next steps
Planning staff told council the rezoning does not guarantee a specific tenant or drive‑through use; any future project still must meet zoning and permitting requirements. Planning Director Collins said the administration will continue to work with any prospective developer to address pedestrian safety and design elements, including signalized intersections and other street‑level improvements.

Ending: The council’s approval moves the parcel into the CS district for future development; council members asked staff to continue to prioritize pedestrian design elements as specific proposals come forward.","City council approved an amendment to the zoning map for a parcel near Eighth Avenue, moving it to a commercial shopping (CS) designation after debate about walkability and neighborhood impacts. The vote passed with members divided and one recusal.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244796,"Four‑alarm fire in south Bethlehem draws wide mutual‑aid response; city and fire union press staffing steps",681,2778000,3459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780&start=2778&end=3459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228783-b105cc6bc1ad029827c6d9375c340780/thumbnail_2778000.jpg","/articles/6244796/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Fouralarm-fire-in-south-Bethlehem-draws-wide-mutualaid-response-city-and-fire-union-press-staffing-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244796-ff97d5e79bbfd1f602ea5ef02fd54144/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186673&Signature=Yjh29mQBUfL-jCQP0cjLHmblPphuFXRyLv9bxHYaBNVOACyc4WuLoVyIuiNEBe07YcZEEFkVpaQpxgTcv9wJelqfefSchZBp7j7lT6rN6ve-Czh5nJN-KBiCl9c88NBW0Z2IoRgj3pdnx-2rf8fVaCSa1U9sj6njDOc5MVU8HYoPmhwidzYh5HVCXuQNFGcPXNE1AFEcC2vxhAY8BX78rccwjxLYhI3ggB1wBye609fTBGySglRAZKDSlOik7CC6wRIEexHEm~SxSbp5E-WnuIV9N2NqbFFcUG94fN6SAux3uGx4ZXAf0rCF2KXadp-QOAFYGvDGjTQFdZKvopMg7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A four‑alarm fire that swept the roof and upper floors of a multi‑story building in south Bethlehem last week drew 87 firefighters through mutual aid and left dozens of residents temporarily displaced, city and fire officials said at the Bethlehem City Council meeting.

The fire “was challenging and very equipment‑ and personnel‑dependent,” Chief Reich said in a council report, and “the real thanks goes to the firefighters that were on duty that day.” Mayor Reynolds and multiple council members publicly thanked the department, mutual‑aid partners and community organizations for rescue, shelter and coordination efforts.

Why it matters: The incident exposed both the city’s capacity to coordinate a major response and the pressure that long‑running staffing shortfalls place on daily operations. Fire union leaders and the chief told council they are pursuing immediate staffing increases at a northwest station and continuing a plan to run a second academy this year.

City and department response
Chief Reich described a fast‑moving roof fire exacerbated by strong gusting winds that spread fire along the building’s top. He said 18 firefighters were on duty when the incident began, additional city crews were called in and mutual‑aid partners — including Allentown, Bethlehem Township, Easton and several nearby volunteer departments — supplemented the response. “We couldn’t do it by ourselves,” Reich said.

Health and housing coordination was run through the city’s Health Bureau and a temporary emergency operations center at Northampton Community College, officials said. The Red Cross and the county’s animal‑care team assisted residents and pets; the building owner and management company arranged short‑term hotel rooms for many tenants while insurance and content‑replacement reviews proceed.

Mike Simonson, the city’s building inspector, said teams are conducting room‑by‑room assessments and working with restoration contractors to restore power and put temporary roofing in place. He said it may be “some time” before units are safe to reoccupy and that priority is safety and code compliance before allowing residents back in.

Staffing, training and next steps
The fire renewed discussion of a staffing shortage the union and chief have raised for months. Lou Jimenez, president of Bethlehem Firefighters Local 735, urged the city to “properly staff our northwest fire station, Engine 9, with one officer and two firefighters every hour of every day across all four platoons.” He said the station protects a rapidly growing part of the city and that insufficient staffing “creates unnecessary risks.”

Chief Reich and city officials said the department has already sent recruits to academy training and planned a second academy this year. Reich told council the city spent about $525,000 to train 30 new personnel so far and expects more hires to arrive in the coming months; those classes do not include salaries, he said. Reich and union leaders also said they have asked for a third‑party staffing study to plan longer‑term needs.

Council members pressed for timelines and delivery of follow‑up information. Mayor Reynolds and staff said they would continue coordination on rehousing displaced residents, building assessments and staffing plans; Simonson and the Health Bureau will provide status updates as repairs and inspections proceed.

Council reaction and follow‑up
Council members repeatedly praised the coordinated response and asked staff to report back on rehousing progress for displaced residents and on whether small, short‑term funds are needed to help affected small businesses recover while insurance claims proceed. Reich described available post‑incident mental‑health and rehabilitation supports for firefighters, including peer check‑ins, employee‑assistance programs and critical‑incident counseling if needed.

Ending: City officials said they will continue regular updates to council as building assessments, insurance claims and rehousing decisions progress. No vote or ordinance related to the fire response was taken at the meeting.","A four‑alarm fire that damaged a large multi‑story building prompted a multi‑agency response, temporary rehousing for residents and renewed discussion of fire‑department staffing and training plans, officials said at the Bethlehem City Council meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident says he plans to bring police‑interaction evidence to city; urges accountability

Monocacy neighborhood raises safety and sanitation concerns over riverside encampment

South Side business owners and residents press city on sidewalks, trees and local tax use

Council approves zoning map change on Eighth Avenue after split vote; walkability concerns persist

Four‑alarm fire in south Bethlehem draws wide mutual‑aid response; city and fire union press staffing steps