Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Scranton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in public safety with critical priority
Extreme Heat and Emergency Cooling Plans for Unsheltered Residents
A resident who experienced homelessness described overcrowded bunk rooms, a single shower, and cold treatment at the shelter and CIC, urging the city to do more for the unhoused.
Blighted Properties and Code Enforcement Concerns
Residents highlighted long-abandoned storage pods sitting on public streets and overgrown blighted properties, urging stricter enforcement and ordinance updates.
Emergency Medical Services Contract and Operations
Council questioned the administration's timeline and communication regarding ambulance services and the upcoming RFP process.
Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Coverage
Councilman Sean McAndrew pressed the administration for transparency regarding the city's emergency ambulance capacity, highlighting that the city lacks a dedicated municipal ambulance service despite charter responsibilities.
Snowstorm Response and Snow Removal Evaluation
Council members sharply criticized the administration for refusing to release a public after-action snowstorm report, instead offering to discuss DPW operations only in executive session.
Municipal Snow Removal Operations and Storm Response
Council members and citizens raised concerns regarding the city's response to recent heavy snowstorms and the administration's delay in providing a requested after-action report.