A shadow hangs over Scranton, Pennsylvania – the hometown of a former president – as a surge in violent crime complicates a closely watched congressional race. Mayor Paige Cognetti, now challenging freshman Republican Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr., faces a stark reality in a district perfectly balanced between the two parties.
The city, once known for its industrious spirit, is grappling with a disturbing trend. The first six months of 2024 alone witnessed five homicides, exceeding the total for the entire previous year. A chilling reminder of the escalating danger came when a police officer was shot in the head, thankfully surviving the attack.
Pennsylvania, a perennial battleground state, is once again poised to influence the national political landscape. Several congressional districts, including the 8th where Cognetti and Bresnahan are vying for power, are locked in a dead heat, making this race particularly crucial.
During a recent mayoral debate, Cognetti was confronted about crime statistics published in a New York newspaper. She dismissed the report, characterizing the source as lacking the authority of official crime databases and insisting that data didn’t support a spike in crime.
However, accounts from Scranton residents paint a different picture. Reports detail escalating gang-related shootings, a student found armed near a high school, and SWAT teams responding to increasingly frequent domestic disturbances. Even a scholastic lacrosse game was disrupted by nearby gunfire, forcing police to escort players to safety.
Cognetti herself acknowledged the troubling situation, describing the recurring incidents as “really tough to swallow.” While acknowledging the stark numbers, she attempted to contextualize them, noting that Scranton’s crime rates remained comparatively lower than those of some other cities.
Years earlier, in a conversation about community safety, Cognetti expressed a vision for a future where police officers wouldn’t need to carry firearms. She cited her experiences in Japan as inspiration, envisioning a society where such measures wouldn’t be necessary, while also acknowledging the rights of responsible gun owners.
Despite her earlier statements, Cognetti’s administration has invested heavily in bolstering law enforcement. Under her leadership, Scranton has added 50 new police vehicles equipped with advanced technology, expanded the police force, and deployed hundreds of surveillance cameras throughout the city.
The Bresnahan campaign seized on Cognetti’s past comments and perceived downplaying of the current crisis. They accused her of disregarding the safety of her constituents and prioritizing appearances over addressing the growing concerns of residents.
The debate over public safety has become the defining issue of this congressional race, forcing voters to weigh Cognetti’s record and vision against Bresnahan’s promises to prioritize law and order in a city desperately seeking a return to peace.
Scranton’s streets are now monitored by over 230 CCTV cameras, and officers are equipped with live-feed bodycams and upgraded dashcam technology – a visible demonstration of the city’s attempt to regain control and reassure a frightened community.
