Allentown residents speak out after kidnapping, assault on Virginia Street
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Four people were arrested after a 21-year-old man was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted inside an apartment last week on Virginia Street. Residents are now speaking out, saying this is just one example of many problems they’ve been dealing with in the Allentown area.
Jacob Lea-Kelly, a resident of Allentown, has lived on North Pearl Street for the last three years. Him, his wife and 12-year-old son moved to the area because of its proximity to Allen Street and Downtown Buffalo.
Over the last few years, Lea-Kelly said he’s noticed an issue with some nearby properties, including the building located on the 500 block of Virginia Street where the alleged assault took place.
“We’ve seen clothes being thrown out of windows. We’ve seen towels being put up as curtains,” Lea-Kelly said. “A lot of strange, odd people coming from that building.”
People who used to frequently visit the vibrant neighborhood said it’s changed into an area filled with panhandlers, crime and visible drug use. They said they used to feel safe walking around Allentown at night, but not anymore.
“The response from the city is really horrible,” said Buffalo resident Joseph Wyman. “I love the city. I would do anything I could, but it’s not giving back to me.”
Lea-Kelly, along with other neighbors who have contacted WIVB News 4, said they have been calling Buffalo Common Councilmember Mitch Nowakowski and 311 to report several issues, but have not noticed any changes.
Nowakowski said he cannot do something about every single complaint.
“Some people will email me and say these people look unsavory or these people look odd,” Nowakowski said. “But it’s not illegal to be odd. It’s not illegal to walk on the street or to be homeless. So, the way we combat this problem is very complex.”
When asked about the Virginia Street assault, Nowakowski said he is positive that no gang activities are happening in Allentown. He said he spoke with Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia who said this was an isolated incident.
“It was multiple people for a targeted offense and the police are on it. We are investigating to the fullest extent,” Nowakowski said. “I’m ultimately going to be putting pressure on what the connection of this house was to the totality of the crime.”
Nowakowski said since receiving complaints, he has been in contact with the B District police to increase patrols on Allen Street and surrounding areas. He is also working with health care providers on getting a street team to engage with people who are homeless to try and get them care and off the streets.
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Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.
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