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SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - The crime rate in Hazleton declined at the same time its Hispanic population was exploding, but the numbers do not tell the whole story, the police chief testified Tuesday at a federal trial over the city's crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Illegal immigrants and Hispanic groups are suing Hazleton to overturn a new city act that targets landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and businesses that employ them.
Mayor Lou Barletta has repeatedly invoked rising crime, and particularly violent crimes, as a justification for the crackdown. Violent crime in Hazleton increased more than 70 percent from 2001 to 2006, and Barletta testified last week that it was driving businesses away and making residents afraid to leave their homes.
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