Scranton, the Electric City and hometown of President Joe Biden, is grappling with a concerning surge in violent crime as the 2024 election season approaches. Located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a crucial swing area within a pivotal swing state, Scranton has already witnessed visits from both major party candidates during the 2020 campaign and a two-day presidential visit in 2024.
The city, known for its relative safety, has been shaken by an alarming increase in homicides. In the first five months of 2024 alone, Scranton recorded five homicides, surpassing any annual total in recent memory. This surge contrasts with the three homicides reported in all of 2023 and the previous years’ average of one to two homicides annually. The absence of homicides, as seen in 2019, was once the norm for Scranton residents.
The violent crimes have left the community on edge. In March, Jose Miguel Tatis-Camilo lost his life during an armed robbery at a gas station convenience store. A few days later, a man was killed in a drug-related robbery at his home. In April, a gang-related beating and shooting near a city park resulted in another fatality. Later that month, a dispute between two siblings ended tragically with one brother taking the other’s life. In May, an unresponsive male was found shot in a car following a drug deal gone wrong. Additionally, car thefts have become rampant, with one resident falling victim to a carjacking at gunpoint.
The year began on a tragic note when Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin was shot twice in the head during a gang-related shooting investigation in January. Miraculously, the detective survived. In the same month, a juvenile was apprehended outside Scranton High School with a firearm, intending to target a rival gang member. In April, attendees at a Scranton Preparatory School lacrosse game had to be escorted to their vehicles by police due to nearby gunshots. In June, Scranton police and S.W.A.T. team members faced gunfire while responding to a domestic incident.
The surge in crime has prompted county commissioners to approve the allocation of a wing in the county jail to hold juveniles, as juvenile detention facilities have reached capacity. This crime wave has been a jarring experience for long-time Scranton residents, who were not accustomed to such levels of violence in their community.
While crime rates have risen across the United States since the pandemic, Scranton’s situation has left residents fearful of their own neighborhoods. The impact of these crime concerns on the electorate remains to be seen. National polls consistently show that voters trust Republicans, often by significant margins, to handle crime. In Scranton, many Democrats, who have long held control over city and county government, adopt a tough-on-crime and pro-police stance, distinguishing themselves from their far-left counterparts in other parts of the country.
The Scranton area’s political landscape is critical in determining the balance of power in Congress. Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey, a fellow Scranton native like President Biden, faces a challenging reelection battle against Republican Dave McCormick. Additionally, the area hosts one of the most competitive U.S. House races, with newcomer Rob Bresnahan challenging long-time Democratic Representative Matt Cartwright. Scranton and its surrounding communities play a pivotal role in Cartwright’s chances of reelection. If the general election results in the Scranton area lean slightly more Republican than usual, it could tip the scales in favor of Bresnahan, given the district’s overall Republican-friendly disposition.
The concerns surrounding crime may also impact a crucial statehouse race. Currently, Democrats hold a one-seat advantage in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The 118th District, which does not include Scranton but encompasses neighboring towns, is a top target for Republicans seeking to flip seats. It is conceivable that voters in this district, worried about violence spilling over into their communities, may factor crime into their decision-making process.
However, one local newspaper’s editorial board dismisses these concerns, asserting in its May 26, 2024 edition that public fears about crime are exaggerated and fueled by partisan rhetoric. The editorial contends that neighborhoods in Scranton are safer than they have been in over a decade. The verdict on crime in Scranton will ultimately be determined by the public come November, with potential ramifications extending beyond Pennsylvania’s sixth-largest city.
Tyler Day, a lifelong resident of Northeast Pennsylvania, has been actively involved in local politics since the 2012 election cycle. Currently working in the economic development field, Day previously served as chief of staff to a Pennsylvania state representative. He and his wife reside in Scranton.
