Residents voice concerns about violence in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Residents are speaking out after a recent uptick in violence in the City of Wilkes-Barre.

Two violent crimes just days apart in the city have people on edge.

“It’s a safety concern for everybody. I mean, you can’t walk home without getting stopped, you gotta worry about it. So it has to stop, it has to come to, some way to stop,” said Phyllis Monda from Wilkes-Barre.

Crime is causing concern for people in Wilkes-Barre.

“I’m scared. I’m scared for myself, I’m scared for my staff,” said Bellia.

Rosa Bellia owns Franco’s, a popular pizza spot just minutes away from the scene of a violent attack early Tuesday morning.

According to police, a man was shot while sitting in his car parked in the area of South Main and West South Streets in Wilkes-Barre.

The victim states he was approached in his car by a man wearing a ski mask.

He told police the suspect opened the driver’s side door, struck him in the face, and shot him in the arm.

He was transported to an area hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

Bellia says she’s seen the area decline over the years.

“My parents opened up in 1975 in Penn Plaza just a few blocks away, and you know, even if you left your doors open, or you left something outside, you left it where you found it, or even people would bring it in for you. Today, I’d be afraid to leave anything,” stated Bellia.

Police say early Saturday morning on Old River Road, a man was walking while approached by two suspects .

The victim says he was challenged to a fight before being pistol whipped and then stabbed in the lower back.

The suspects fled the scene and the victim was sent to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

“It’s a safety concern for everybody. I mean you can’t walk home without getting stopped you gotta worry about it. So it has to stop it has to come to some way to stop,” added Monda.

Police say both investigations are ongoing.

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