Lebanon mayor says the state of city is 'strong, resilient and full of opportunities'

Yahoo

27-03-2025

Low crime rates, economic development and city housing concerns were some of the highlights Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello shared with residents during her annual State of the City address Wednesday, March 26.
Speaking to a packed house at a Community of Lebanon Association luncheon in the Hebron Social Hall, Capello said the state of city is "strong, resilient and full of opportunities." Capello said crimes against persons, like homicide, rape, robbery and assault, have decreased by 7% compared to 2023.
"Serious crime has significantly decreased over the past decades with 2024 representing the second lowest serious crime count in statistical history," she said. "Our crime numbers are lower than most other cities in our region. Lebanon continues to be safe, but we continue to acknowledge the need to change the mindset of using guns to resolve problems."
When comparing the city statistics to those of 20 years ago, serious crimes have decreased by more than 63%, according to Capello. Total crimes against property was the second lowest in the city's history and represents a decrease of 14% from 2023.
The city reported only one homicide in 2024, down from six that were reported in 2023. Guillen Fabian-Garcia, of Lebanon, and Mariam Saadoune were charged in a fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man in his home in the 700 block of Lehman Street April 10. Charges for that case include manslaughter by negligence, as the result from a negligent discharge of a firearm in the home.
In 2024, four street crimes involving gunfire and nine random gun fire incidents occurred in the city, according to Capello. While random shots spiked in 2012 and street crimes increased in 2023, Capello said the incidents have been relatively stable overall. The Lebanon Police Department logged 46 firearms into evidence in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year.
"Despite lower gun violence compared to other cities, the issue remains a significant public health concern and will continue to be prioritized," Capello said.
Out of 118 assaults investigated by police, 46 of assault incidents in the city were domestic violence related, which is a 3% rise in the city. Capello said over the last 15 years, domestic violence has significantly decreased in the city.
Police made 914 arrests in 2024, up from the 753 arrests that were made in 2023. Officers had to use force to make an arrest, detain a suspect or to protect an officer or resident in 47 of the arrests made in 2024. There were three complaints filed against officers in 2024. Capello said an internal investigation was done on each of those complaints.
"I think a reasonable person could determine from our statistics that the city typically uses the least amount of force necessary as per our use of force policy," she said.
In 2024, the Lebanon City Police Department welcomed K-9 Ares to active duty partnered with Lebanon City Patrolwoman Erin Secoges. The department also used an $817,000 grant received in 2023 to fund items including officer retention programs, replace and upgrade in-car video systems and add devices to capture and add devices to capture and track license plate data for vehicle related incidents.
The unemployment rate in the city ended at 3.3% at the end of 2024. City officials reported a record high unemployment rate at 17.8% in April 2020.
In 2024, the median household income in Lebanon city increased to $47,4439. However, Capello said that amount is still significantly lower than the county and the state.
"Our percentage of persons below 100% of the poverty level decreased to slightly less than 23% of the population," she said. "These improvements continue to be positives for our community."
A housing study commissioned by the Lebanon County Coalition to End Homelessness found households increased by 8% in Lebanon County between 2010 and 2022. That growth was already expected to increase by another 1%, or an additional 580 households, by 2027.
Capello acknowledged "the shortage of housing among all affordability levels" in her speech, saying that this is a national trend. City officials used 2024 to further educate ourselves with housing strategies implemented by other cities, and is looking into options with other community related groups.
"We acknowledge this is an issue and we are in the process of creating a housing coalition wherein we will create a housing strategy with attainable short and long- term goals," she said.
Across Lebanon County, 27% of households have at least one person employed, yet struggle to afford basic necessities, including housing, utilities, food, child care and health care, according to the Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed, or ALICE, report. ALICE records household incomes that exceed the federal poverty level but are not high enough to pay for basic needs.
The City of Lebanon, Annville Township, Myerstown and Palmyra were identified by the ALICE report as having more than 40% of households not having incomes to pay for basic needs.
The City of Lebanon has not raised taxes over the last 10 years. According to the city's last filed audit, city fund balances for governmental funds increased by $4.2 million and the city's net position increased by $6.5 million.
There were 1,723 calls for public safety and fire department calls in 2024, which was a slight decrease of 39 calls from 2023. Capello said almost 48% of calls were for false alarms, 17% of calls were for Rescue & Emergency Medical Services and about 16% for hazardous conditions like vehicle accident clean-up, aircraft standby and gas leaks.
Only 30 calls were structure fires with nine calls in the county and 21 calls in the city representing only 1.2% of all city calls for service. The total number of fire-related incidents resulting in property damage was 21, which Capello said marked the lowest recorded figure to date for the city.
"We experienced a total fire count of 88, including the response in all municipalities," she said. "This is four counts lower than 2023. Fires continue to represent about 5% of all calls."
The city saw one fire-related fatality in 2024 after a 1-year-old child was killed in a house fire Sept. 13. on Brandywine Street. The parents and grandmother are currently facing child endangerment charges.
More than $14 million has been invested in the resurfacing of city streets over the last 17 years, according to Capello. A significant increase in resurfacing projects have occurred over the last 4 years due to the 422/72 Project and the use of ARPA funding for paving projects.
"Cumberland St., from 5th Ave. to 16th St. was completed in 2024," she said. "This completes the 422/72 Project. Phase 4 alone represents almost 2 miles of street resurfacing. Cumberland St. from 5th Avenue east to the City line and beyond is anticipated to occur in 2026 with PENNDOT as the lead."
Officials have started using AI software to assess the conditions of the city's roads. Capello said about 96% of the 94 miles of streets have been mapped and rated on their level of condition.
"The use of this tool needs to be further assessed for accuracy, however, with the most recent data, 55% of our streets are in GREAT to Moderate condition, 26% are Moderate to Severe and about 15% are Severe," she said. "Approximately 4% have not been assessed yet."
The city has around 100 condemned properties, which represents about 1% of total housing units. In 2024, the city issued 45 new condemnations due to no utilities, and lifted 91.
A total of 60 permits were issued to various groups for the use of streets, sidewalks and parks in 2024, with 62 permits issued in 2023. Capello said that the number of permits issued have not returned to pre-COVID numbers, which ranged in the 90s.
The city was awarded almost $632,000 for the Lebanon Steel Works project, which will transform the site of the former Bethlehem Steel's infirmary and meeting site into a community space. Property owner Second Sail Development was awarded a 20-year loan totaling more than $1.7M for additional rehab costs to the site.
Capello said city officials anticipate this project will result in the creation of more than 70 new jobs.
"This project will not only revitalize a key part of Lebanon's history, but will also provide new opportunities for the community's growth and creativity," she said.
In 2023, the City received $102,000 from DCNR to assist with funding for a dog park in Coleman Memorial Park. Capello said officials are transforming the former 1.5 acre pool area into a vibrant space for large and small dogs. In 2024, the design of the dog park and bid specs were completed with the low bid of $267,000. Completion of the dog park is expected by July.
City officials acknowledge that a majority of small businesses continue to struggle, Capello said. Inflation, labor shortages and online competition continues to have a negative effect on establishments operating their businesses.
"In response, the City will move forward in 2025 with a contract for consulting services to create a virtual, on-demand training portal for an unlimited number of small businesses," she said. "Additionally, consulting services will be provided for downtown strategic visioning and developing an action plan."
Highlighting the work done in her 15th year in office, Capello said her administration has made a positive impact on the health of the city in many ways.
"We acknowledge we have work to do in some areas, especially with our housing shortage," she said. "It is a privilege to serve as Lebanon's Mayor and I assure you that my administration will continue with our efforts to improve our City."
Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at [e-mail] or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon PA mayor: Positive impacts made in the city in 2024